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The Great Western Highway has reopened at Victoria Pass following an oil spill on Thursday morning.
Clean up was had to be conducted twice with Duty Commander of Blue Mountains Fire and Rescue, Active Inspector Chris Andrews, saying that issues associated with the clean up contributed to the closures being longer than anticipated.
"At 12.06am we were alerted to an oil spill at Victoria Pass by a heavy vehicle inspector on his way to the Mt Victoria Heavy Vehicle Safety Station," he said.
"Mt Victoria and Blackheath Fire crews attended and on arrival found light oil coating on the eastbound uphill lane approximately 1.5 kilometre long.
"Crews applied all absorbent held on the trucks and requested police to assist with traffic control along with more absorbent from the RMS.
Local Rural Fire Service (RFS) crews also helped with the cleanup which was completed at 3.30am.
At 4.36am, Inspector Andrews said emergency services received a second call to the location with two trucks stuck travelling eastbound.
"Following rain at Mount Victoria the absorbent that was laid has been diluted and washed off," he said.
"RMS arrived with more sand-like absorbent which was hand broomed over the full 1.5km stretch by RMS and assisted by RFS.
The westbound lane was reopened at 9.15am, while the eastbound lane was reopened at approximately 9.45am."
EARLIER
Clean up is continuing on the Great Western Highway at Mt Victoria following an oil spill.
A spokesperson for the Transport Management Centre said road closures may change throughout the day.
"Currently both eastbound and westbound lanes are closed at Victoria Pass, he said.
"Clean up is continuing and crews are working hard to get the highway open.
"A major concern is trucks having to stop and restart on such steep slopes, so until the roads are safely reopened we ask everyone to use the diversions in place or avoid the area if possible.
"People can check Live Traffic for updates on the situation."
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EARLIER
AN oil spill on Victoria Pass at Mt Victoria has caused the closure of lanes in both directions on the Great Western Highway.
Travellers should expect lengthy delays with all eastbound traffic being diverted via Hartley along Brown's Gap Rd, Hartley Vale Rd and Darling Causeway to then rejoin the Great Western Highway.
Westbound traffic is diverting via Darling Causeway, Chifley Road to Lithgow to return to the highway.
The diversion is suitable for all vehicles up to 19 metres in length.
Emergency services are on the scene to along with Transport for NSW, cleaning crews and a heavy vehicle tow truck
People on the road are reminded to allow extra time for travel and exercise caution in the area.
For the latest traffic information, visit www.livetraffic.com, download the Live Traffic NSW app or call 132 701.
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