Nearly $2 million from the State and Federal governments will be used on the next stage of repairs to landslips on Brown Mountain.
Landslips, rockfalls and repairs are common on the section of the Snowy Mountains Highway that covers the mountain and a community group has previously taken aim at what it perceives as government inaction to fix the problems.
But the $1.9 million will be used for work scheduled to start on 17 June at the next of nine landslip sites, which is about 1.5 km east of the Fred Piper Memorial Lookout.
The work, by Transport for NSW, will see the damaged section of the road fully restored and built to better withstand the threat of future disasters.
It includes installing almost 1100 metres of soil nails, applying 180 sqm of shotcrete, as well as repairing damaged road surface and reinstating guardrail.
There will be no additional impact on traffic during the work, as there is already a single lane in place.
A spokesperson for the governments said repairs had been conducted at three of the landslip sites since 2022.
“This $1.9 million is part of the $6 million being invested in the repairs to date,” they said.
They said the work at the largest of these sites was expected to be completed by mid-August, while a procurement process was underway to book in repairs for three of the four remaining sites.
Work is also continuing on a design solution for the ninth landslip site which was damaged during severe weather last November.
“As someone that drives the Brown Mountain every week, I know how frustrating the ongoing closures from landslips and rockfalls are – which is why we’re getting on with this critical repair work,” Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain said.
“Releasing this $1.9 million towards the next stage of repair works will help prevent further erosion, and improve the safety of this busy route.”
Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland said it was fantastic to announce that further work was happening on Brown Mountain.
“We thank the community for their patience while we plan, prepare and carry out this important repair work, that will help get the Snowy Mountains Highway back open to its full capacity,” he said.
Member for Monaro Steve Whan said he and his colleagues would continue to advocate for a longer-term strategy for the highway.
In March, the NSW Government announced $2.6 million worth of work would begin to repair the largest of the nine landslip sites on the mountain.