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.
Next update: Tuesday 14 January 2020.
Oxley Highway
- The Oxley Highway is open.
- There are some lengths which have a 60km/h speed limit in place due to fire damage, and the 13km section between Ginger’s Creek Roadhouse and Ralfes Trail Road is heavily damaged and is being operated under escort arrangements.
- While the road was opened to two lanes under escort arrangements last week, it has now returned to being operated under alternating flow arrangements one way in each direction, to enable road repairs to continue. Motorists can expect delays of up to 40 minutes.
- 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.
- Due to the extensive damage to safety barriers and guardrails, culverts, signs and some retaining wall structures, work to restore the highway will take several months.
Gwydir Highway
- The Gwydir Highway is open.
- 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.
Bells Line of Road, Chifley Road and Darling Causeway
- Bells Line of Road/Chifley Rd are open under reduced speed limits while repair work is carried out to damaged barriers and signage.
- Road crews are working this week to repair the damage and reinstate the speed limit as soon as possible.
- Darling Causeway between Bell and Mount Victoria has reopened under a reduced speed limit whilst repair work is carried out.
Castlereagh Highway
- Castlereagh Hwy is open with all speed restrictions lifted. Repair and restoration works are still being carried out under traffic control.
Jenolan Caves Road
- Jenolan Caves Road remains closed and repair work is underway.
- Jenolan Caves is closed until the end of January.
Pacific Highway – Mid North Coast (around Taree)
- In order to not impact busy holiday traffic there no further recovery road work will take place until after the new year period.
- Eight temporary VMS has been installed to supplement directional signage and provide guidance for customers.
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
- Maintenance crews will be active on the road next week to repair boundary fencing and fauna fencing impacted by fallen trees, and to remove remaining (but less critical) fire affected trees. These activities are expected to have minimal disturbance to traffic
- A detailed inventory of assets to be repaired is being collated, including guardrail and terminal ends and signage to enable scoping and cost estimation.
Putty Road
- Putty Road was opened to traffic on 4 January with selected sections of restricted 60 km/h speed zones as required
- Road crews will continue to clear additional trees and replace signage as required over the coming weeks.
Pacific Highway, Charmhaven and Motorway Link Road, Blue Haven (Central Coast)
- The Pacific Highway at Charmhaven and the Motorway Link Road at Blue Haven were closed on Tuesday 31 December and reopened on Wednesday 1 January 2020
- Urgent tree removal was carried out last week
- Additional tree removal is being carried out at night from Monday 6 January to Wednesday 8 January.
Wangi Road, Rathmines
- Wangi Road between Wilton Rd and Summer Hill Drive at Rathmines was closed on Wednesday 1 January and reopened on Thursday 2 January.
- The Rural Fire Service had an arborist check the trees and several were removed prior to re-opening the road. Council will remove cut timber from the shoulders this week.
- A small number of signs, including two large directional signs, have been damaged and will be replaced in the coming weeks. The timeframe for replacing signs is dependent on the time frame for manufacturing.
- Temporary arrangements such as installation of VMS signs will be implemented in the interim.
Kings Highway
- The Kings Highway remains closed due to continued impact from active fires between Braidwood and the Clyde River. Refer to Live Traffic for current road status.
- TfNSW staff are currently assessing the damage and there is no timeframes currently available for reopening.
Princes Highway
- The Princes Highway has reopened in all sections with the exception from south of Eden (Kiah) to the Victorian border, which remains closed.
- Due to ongoing bushfire activity south of Nowra, the highway could continue to be impacted, please refer to Live Traffic for current road status.
Snowy Mountains
- The Snowy Mountains Highway is closed between the Hume Highway and Gilmore (Batlow Road) and between Tumut Plains Road and Adaminaby while TfNSW staff assess the damage and work to re-open the highway. We advise to avoid travel in the Snowy Mountains area. Refer to Live Traffic for current road status.
- The Monaro Highway is closed between Bombala and Cann River (Victoria) due to bushfire activity in Victoria. Refer to Live Traffic for current road status.
- All roads in the Kosciuszko National Park are closed due to active bushfire activity including:
- Alpine Way between Crackenback to Khancoban
- Kosciuszko Road between Jindabyne and Charlotte Pass.
