Brindabella Road has long been known for its rough gravel surface, corrugations and challenging mountain terrain between Canberra and the Snowy Valleys. Photo: Snowy Valleys Council.
For generations, Brindabella Road has been one of southern NSW’s most scenic, and most challenging, mountain routes.
Winding through rugged alpine country west of Canberra, the road has long tested motorists with corrugations, mud, snow, logging traffic and steep gravel descents that locals and travellers regularly describe online as “hairy”, “rough” and “stressful”.
Now, after years of lobbying, one of the route’s most notorious sections is finally set for a major overhaul.
Snowy Valleys Council has confirmed detailed design and cost estimates have now been completed for the Brindabella Road Upgrade project, with construction expected to begin in September.
The works will target a 10.6-kilometre section between the Piccadilly Circus intersection at the NSW-ACT border and Brindabella Valley Road, transforming the narrow gravel route into a sealed two-lane road.
The project has secured more than $37 million in Commonwealth funding, backed by Eden-Monaro MP and Federal Regional Development Minister Kristy McBain.
Snowy Valleys Mayor Julia Ham said the milestone marked a significant step forward for a project that had been discussed for years.
“Upgrading and sealing Brindabella Road has long been a priority for council, and we are grateful for the more than $37 million in federal funding secured with the support of Kristy McBain,” Councillor Ham said.
“Once complete, the upgrade will improve safety, strengthen regional connectivity and unlock long-term economic and tourism opportunities for the Snowy Valleys community.”
The route has long been viewed as both a shortcut and an adventure drive linking Canberra with the Snowy Valleys.
Brindabella Road cuts about 66 km off the alternative trip via the Hume Highway, making it a popular route for travellers heading towards Tumut, Blowering Dam and the western Snowy Mountains, while the conventional highway route from Canberra to Tumut generally takes about two hours and 20 minutes via the Hume Highway.
Yet, while the Brindabella route covers a shorter distance, it can still take close to three hours — or considerably longer in poor weather or after heavy rain.
That unpredictability has contributed to the road’s often notorious reputation.
Online discussions are filled with stories of corrugations, potholes, washouts and difficult winter driving conditions, particularly on the gravel stretches crossing between NSW and the ACT.
One Canberra driver described the route as “rough and at times hairy”, while another said it became “basically a one-lane dirt road” once crossing the border into NSW.
Others pointed to the impact of heavy logging traffic, with one regular commuter saying sections near Micalong developed “washboard corrugations” from trucks, especially after wet weather.
The road’s condition becomes even more of a recurring issue during snow season, when large numbers of visitors head into the Brindabella Ranges chasing alpine conditions.
Over the years, ACT authorities have frequently shut sections of Brindabella Road during snow and ice events, with warnings about black ice, bogged vehicles and motorists attempting to drive around barriers.
Locals have also raised concerns about inexperienced drivers flocking to the mountains during snowfalls.
One online commenter said snow weekends often led to “near misses and people sliding off that road”, while another described seeing vehicles fishtailing around corners on icy surfaces.
A Brindabella resident previously told media outlets it was “rare to not see evidence of a serious accident” during heavy snow traffic in the region.
The road’s remote location has added to those concerns, with travellers warning there can be long stretches without mobile reception between Canberra and Tumut.
Visitors are also routinely advised no fuel is available between the two centres and to allow extra travel time because of the extensive gravel sections.
But with the construction now looming, Snowy Valleys Council’s Infrastructure and Works acting director Phillip McMurray has assured locals the timing of the project was carefully planned around the harsh mountain conditions.
“The September start date is planned to avoid winter conditions that limit construction activity due to the site’s elevation and terrain,” Mr McMurray said.
The project would also include drainage improvements, upgraded signage and additional safety measures along the corridor, he said.
Yet despite the investment, a significant gap remains.
Despite the NSW upgrade, motorists will still encounter a steep and winding 8.5 km unsealed ACT section west of Canberra, with Snowy Valleys Council continuing to advocate for ACT funding to create a fully sealed, all-weather route.
Original Article published by Edwina Mason on About Regional.
