Knight Street has been cordoned off after an irregularity in the road surface revealed something much more serious underneath.
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Lithgow City Council's director of infrastructure services Jonathon Edgecombe said a heavy vehicle driver from Henry's Plant and Equipment noticed a defect in the road at about 7am on Tuesday morning and notified council.
"It presented as a small hole, but it was much more significant than was first thought," he said.
As council staff investigated the small hole, it revealed a significant erosion problem beneath. It has now been revealed by the large hole which has been opened up on the roadway by council staff.
The entire section of Knight Street has been cordoned off while council investigates the issue.
Mr Edgecombe said the problem stemmed from century-old brick stormwater drains, which had deteriorated over time.
He said council had made the decision to replace the entire line.
"We will replace it with more robust infrastructure," he said.
It was estimated uncovering the problem area would take a couple more days before repair work could begin. A water main in the centre of Knight Street would be relocated as part of the process.
"This happens in a city as old as Lithgow," Mr Edgecombe said.
"Some of the older infrastructure is still in fantastic condition, but some of it was not designed to the consistent standards we have today."
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