Motorists who use Browns Gap Road will be pleased to hear that a re-opening of the road is drawing closer.
The road was forced to be closed by Lithgow City Council in mid-2022 because of the subsidence of former mine workings on the down-slope. This caused distortion in the road surface which suggested the road was at risk of collapse. There was also the risk of rocks on the up-slope being released and hitting vehicles.
The NSW Government’s Subsidence Advisory is responsible for the repair of collapses caused by underground mine workings. After a long wait, these works have just been completed. This has made the site sufficiently safe for the Council to now move to repair the road. These works will include the removal of sections of rock from the up-slope.
Lithgow General Manager, Craig Butler said, “We understand the frustration of motorists who normally would use Browns Gap Road. It has taken too long for the collapsed mine workings to be repaired. But now we are able to have workers safely on the site. The plan is to partially re-open the road with a single lane while the delicate removal of rocks on the up-slope continues. At this stage, the road should be able to be partially re-opened by the fourth week in August.
