Due to the vandalism and ongoing theft of components from the traffic control lights on Browns Gap Road, the Council has made the decision to change the road conditions of the Gap. The Gap is currently open as a single lane in both directions controlled by timed traffic lights.
The Council will remove the traffic control lights and change the traffic conditions of Browns Gap to a one-way road from Hartley Vale into Lithgow. This means there will be no waiting for vehicles heading from Hartley to Lithgow. Vehicles heading in the opposite direction, from Lithgow to Hartley, will now be required to use the Great Western Highway.
Browns Gap Road will be closed from 5pm Wednesday 14 May and reopen in the new configuration at 7am Friday 16 May.
This change is the direct result of ongoing vandalism of the traffic lights and multiple thefts of the batteries that power the lights. Vandalism and theft have a real impact on Council and the community, increasing the cost of operations and slowing the progress on projects like Browns Gap Road and other maintenance activities which actively disadvantages the residents who are doing the right thing.