Browns Gap Road Works

Browns Gap Road Works 

Current Status  

Browns Gap Road is open to traffic under limited conditions. 

From 3:00pm Monday 6 July, the traffic conditions on Browns Gap are as follows; a 200-metre section near the top of the gap will operate as a single lane, controlled under traffic light guided contraflow. Beyond this section, the road will return to two-way traffic for the remainder of the descent toward the valley floor. 

The road is also subject to a Trigger Action Response Plan (TARP) which can be activated during periods of heavy rain. In the event of the TARP being activated the road can be closed with limited notice. Residents are reminded to please obey all signage and instructions at the top and bottom of Browns Gap Road.  

Current TARP status: OPEN  

Background and Road Condition 

Browns Gap Road was originally closed in July 2022 due to serious safety concerns following extreme rainfall in 2021–2022. These events caused: 

• Mine subsidence beneath and near the road 

• Deformation and weakening of the road surface 

• Instability of the surrounding slopes 

• Risk of rockfall onto the roadway 

These issues made the road unsafe and led to its full closure. 

What has been completed 

• Mine subsidence repairs (completed following works commencing in June 2023) 

• Detailed geotechnical investigations 

• Assessment of slope stability and road safety 

• Initial rock scaling works to support reopening 

Current condition 

Although the road is now open: 

• The surrounding slopes still require ongoing stabilisation 

• The road is considered safe for use under current controls, but not yet at full design standard 

Funding and Delivery 

Lithgow City Council has successfully secured $4.48 million in Disaster Recovery Funding from the Australian and NSW Governments to deliver the full repair and restoration of Browns Gap Road. 

Council acknowledges the significant disruption caused by the extended closure and thanks the community for its patience.