MP calls for upgrades on 'patchwork' highway after fatal crash

In short:

A man has died in a single-vehicle crash near Wellington in the state's Central West.

It was the second serious accident on that stretch of the Mitchell Highway in the past six months.

What's next?

Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders has called for an urgent upgrade of the highway. 

A fatal crash has sparked calls for the upgrade of a key western NSW highway.

Emergency services were called to the Mitchell Highway at Apsley, about 5 kilometres south of Wellington, shortly after 4am on Thursday.

NSW Police said officers arrived to find a vehicle had crashed into a ditch.

The driver died at the scene and is yet to be formally identified.

Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders said more money should be spent on the Mitchell Highway to keep drivers safe.

"Any death on our roads is one too many," he said.

"The Mitchell Highway is a significant provider of daily traffic and also freight traffic.

"It is just being left behind [apart from] a bit of patchwork here and there."

A crime scene has been established as police investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. 

More overtaking lanes needed

Earlier this year, Transport for New South Wales lowered the speed limit on the Mitchell Highway between Dubbo and Wellington to 100 kilometres an hour. 

But Mr Saunders said more overtaking lanes were also needed. 

"My question remains: why would you upgrade and widen when you are not then attaching overtaking lanes anywhere else and drop the speed limit?" he said.

"It doesn't make sense."

The Mitchell Highway remains closed northbound between Molong and Burrendong Way.

Earlier, the highway was closed in both directions, with motorists diverted through Orange and Wellington and advised to allow an additional 90 minutes of travel time.

Previous serious crash

The fatal crash came five months after a multi-vehicle crash on the same highway at Neurea, south of Wellington, that left a 70-year-old woman critically injured.

Two trucks and two cars were involved in the crash near Dripstone Road.

Police alleged a semitrailer crashed into vehicles stopped at roadworks, and continued for another 500 metres before coming to a stop.

A 54-year-old truck driver was later charged over the incident.

A report on Thursday's fatal crash will be prepared for the coroner.

A Transport for NSW Spokesperson said in a statement: "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by a serious crash on the Mitchell Highway at Apsley near Wellington."

Transport for NSW is currently working on safety improvements at six locations between Orange and Wellington that have a history of crashes.