MOTORISTS can now access a section of the Oxley Highway following landslip closures.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A 12km section between Yarras and Mount Seaview is ready to take on traffic, but in a single-lane capacity at this stage.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said crews from Transport for NSW, Walcha Council and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council had been working to restore access along the highway as quickly as possible.
"This is an important step as we re-open a widely used corridor, allowing residents and local businesses to get back to some sort of normalcy," Mr Barilaro said.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said crews the section had been devastated by landslips.
"We know how important the Oxley is in providing connections for locals, visitors and freight alike - and we've now been able to restore access to about 12km of the 33km of highway impacted," Mr Toole said.
"Crews also remain on the ground all over the state working hard to fix damage to the road network, and have been able to open 28 of the 30 affected roads since the flood event."
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said it was great news for centres west of the Great Divide.
"The Oxley Highway provides an important link to the coast, and allows coastal communities access to the New England, North West and beyond," Mr Anderson said.
"To see work progress to re-open sections to a single lane will be very welcome news for our businesses and communities. I thank them for understanding the challenges we are facing to get traffic back on this vital transport and freight route as soon as safely possible."
Oxley MP Melinda Pavey said the local community would welcome restoration of access between Forbes River Road and Mount Seaview Road.
"We appreciate this has been a long process as it's been dangerous for repair crews to access some of the repair sites - particularly where the land has slipped below the roadway," Mrs Pavey said.
The stretch of highway between Mount Seaview Road and Gingers Creek is expected to re-open to single lane traffic by the end of July, weather permitting.
For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit the Live Traffic NSW website or call 132 701.