The information contained in this email is about bushfire recovery efforts by TfNSW. For real-time information about areas within active fire zones always refer to www.livetraffic.com website or via the Live Traffic App.
NSW Bushfires: TfNSW Regional Road Recovery Status: 25/02/20.
Please note this update will now be sent monthly unless there is an increase in bushfire activity for the state. The next update will be on Tuesday 24 March.
Oxley Highway
- The Oxley Highway is open to traffic and escort arrangements have been removed.
- There are some lengths which have a 60km/h speed limit in place due to fire damage.
- Multiple teams will be working on the Oxley Highway between Ralfes Creek and Kangaroo Flat (a distance of 60km) from 6am to 6pm on weekdays until the end of March. This work will continue to impact road users with delays of up to five minutes per site.
- Motorists are advised to allow up to an extra 15 minutes travel time through the impacted section of road.
- Road conditions are being monitored daily and traffic management arrangements will be adjusted to improve safety and travel efficiency where possible, however motorists are being advised to plan their journeys and allow extra travel time.
- There have been some rock falls because of recent rain.
- Recent heavy rain has postponed recovery work on some sections. Recovery work will continue as weather permits.
Gwydir Highway
- The Gwydir Highway is open to traffic.
- The section between Bellbird and the top of the Gibraltar Range has significant damage and remains under reduced 60km/h speed limit
- Road conditions are being monitored daily
- Due to the extent of damage to safety barriers and guardrails, culverts and signs, and the very steep and challenging terrain, work to restore the highway will take several months
- Crews are working across multiple separate sites, with delays of between five and 10 minutes possible at each site
- Motorists are asked to allow an extra 45 minutes of travel time between Grafton and Glen Innes
- Oversize and overmass loads in excess of three metres will be allowed to travel on weekends. Enquiries should be directed to the Road Access Unit on 1300 656 371 between 9am and 5pm weekdays.
- Recent heavy rain has postponed recovery work on some sections. Recovery work will continue as weather permits.
Bells Line of Road
- Bells Line of Road is open to traffic at normal speed between Kurrajong and Bilpin.
- Bilpin to Bell remains at reduced speed until works are completed.
Chifley Road
- Chifley Road is open to traffic.
Darling Causeway
- Darling Causeway between Bell and Mount Victoria is open to traffic under a reduced speed limit whilst repair work is carried out.
Castlereagh Highway
- Castlereagh Highway is open to traffic with all speed restrictions lifted
- Repair and restoration works are still being carried out under traffic control.
Jenolan Caves Road
- As of Monday 24 February both Jenolan Caves and the Two Mile are re-opened. The Five Mile remains CLOSED
Pacific Highway – Mid North Coast (around Taree)
- The Pacific Highway in this area is open to traffic
- Eight temporary VMS have been installed to supplement directional signage and provide guidance for customers.
- Approximately 20 large signs that have been heat affected are to be replaced, and a portion of these are being redesigned and/or relocated within the road reserve on frangible coasts. The signs are being manufactured progressively as the new designs become available, and a listing of signs and their status is being collated to help summarise those that expect to be completed before Easter.
- Maintenance crews will be completing repair to boundary fencing and fauna fencing impacted by fallen trees, which is being done in coordination with other work. This work is still ongoing.
- All of the critical approach guardrails have been replaced, with less critical guardrail repairs yet to be done
- A detailed inventory of assets to be repaired has been collected. There has been no impact to bridges.
Putty Road
- Putty Road is open to traffic with selected sections of restricted 60 km/hr speed zones as required
- Selected lengths of damaged guardrail are being progressively replaced with repairs to continue through March (works delayed from February due to the availability of guardrail contractors)in coordination with other work
- Geotechnical specialists have inspected roadside slopes (batters) to manage the risk of rock falls due to the loss of stabilising vegetation, several slopes have now been stabilised.
- The geotechnical assessment has identified three specific locations for immediate slope stabilisation and initial scaling works are now complete.
- Guardrail repair has been scheduled, noting that the team is currently working on other fire affected areas.
Pacific Highway, Charmhaven and Motorway Link Road, Blue Haven (Central Coast)
- The Pacific Highway at Charmhaven and the Motorway Link Road at Blue Haven was open to traffic after the bushfire but has been closed again due to floodwaters.
- Damaged guardrail reflectors and guidepost replacement has been completed
- All signage has been replaced apart from that associated with the speed camera
- The speed camera signage and the camera are to be replaced in coming months.
Wangi Road, Rathmines
- Wangi Road between Wilton Road and Summer Hill Drive at Rathmines is open to traffic
- All black on yellow warning signs and white on green directional signs have been replaced, and there are no outstanding works.
West Charlestown Bypass
- West Charlestown Bypass is now open to traffic. Damage has occurred to boundary fencing, chain wire fencing, wire rope safety barrier and a length of timber noise wall
- The repair work is considered non-critical and will be scheduled in due course.
Kings Highway
- The Kings Highway is open to traffic. Recovery work will be on-going under traffic management.
Princes Highway
- The Princes Highway is open to traffic in all sections with the exception from Narrabarba to the Victorian border and beyond, which remains closed due to bushfire activity in Victoria.
Snowy Mountains
- The Monaro Highway has re-opened.
- Alpine Way between Khancoban and Thredbo has re-opened.
- Other roads in the Kosciuszko National Park remain closed due to damaged infrastructure and dangerous trees. Refer to Live Traffic for current road status.
Next update: Tuesday 24 March 2020.
