A HUGE clean-up job lies ahead after floods caused devastating damage on a 120 kilometre stretch of the Oxley Highway.
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It's some of the most challenging repair work crews have faced to restore access along the steep journey from Yarras to Walcha.
Crews from Transport for NSW, Walcha Council and Port-Macquarie Hastings Council are working together to make the road safe, Deputy Premier and NSW Disaster Recovery Minister John Barilaro said.
"The Oxley Highway is an important corridor for local communities and tourists, but reopening will be no easy task, particularly as some of these slips were from below the roadway, making it dangerous for repair crews to access the sites," Mr Barilaro said.
Recent floods caused 70 landslips along the Oxley Highway and new vision shows the difficult work being undertaken by crews, geotechnical staff and local contractors.
The highway is a main thoroughfare to the coast for residents in the New England North West and transport and logistics companies.
Across the state 26 of the 30 major flood-affected roads have reopened.
Engineerings trials are being completed to find the best way to stabilise sections that have slipped, Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey said.
"Getting the Oxley fully re-opened will be a long process as it remains dangerous for repair crews to access several sites, particularly where slips have occurred below the roadway, but the community can rest assured we're moving as quickly and as safely as possible," Ms Pavey said.
"We're carrying out more investigation work, with extensive drilling and soil nailing operations being undertaken before we can finalise the repair design.
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"Just removing fallen rocks, soil and debris is a difficult job, with tipper trucks at times needing to travel kilometres to find a safe area to turn around."
The stretch of highway between Walcha and Yarras will be reopened soon in sections with single-lane alternate traffic flow.
For updates visit Live Traffic NSW.
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Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
