Two-hundred extra pairs of hands are now hard at work in the State’s west to support crews repairing and rebuilding the flood-affected road network.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said Transport for NSW crews have been diverted from other parts of the State to tackle the worst-hit roads.
“These extra road crews are working with those already on the ground across the west – shovelling cold mix for pothole repairs, heavy patching, extensive rebuilding of some sections, bridge inspections and drainage clearing,” Mr Toole said.
“The majority of the work is taking place in the Forbes, Orange, Dubbo, Parkes, Cowra, Cabonne, Bathurst and Blayney LGAs – with priority given to those areas of the road network most impacted and in need of urgent repairs and rebuilding work.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway visited crews working in Molong today to inspect the work being carried out
“We have had to think outside the box and be agile, working hand in glove with our colleagues in local councils,” Mr Farraway said.
“While the Newell and other state roads have been several centimetres under water, diversions have been created on local and regional roads to allow trucks transporting essential goods to reach their destinations to stock supermarkets and cart grain during harvest.
“It will take some time yet for flood-affected communities to get back on their feet, but we’re here to support them every step of the way.”
Minister for Western NSW and Member for the Dubbo Electorate Dugald Saunders said repairing the Newell Highway south of Forbes is a massive and ongoing project.
“The NSW Government is committing all of the resources we need to get the job done as quickly as we can,” Mr Saunders said.
“The Newell Highway, the backbone of the state’s freight network, remains closed for 60 kilometres between Forbes and Back Creek and Transport for NSW is committed to reopening it as soon as possible.
“Ongoing wet weather and slow-moving floodwaters have created challenges for crews but have not stopped work progressing throughout the closure period.”
Transport for NSW is also mobilising experts across the Central West to inspect about 80 state-managed bridges for signs of damage from flooding.
About half of the bridges have been inspected so far, including 18 of the 24 in the Bathurst local government area, 11 of 20 in Cabonne, five of 10 in Forbes, and two of five in Parkes.
All 11 State-managed bridges in the Cowra LGA and seven in Weddin have also been inspected, and all the bridges inspected so far have been cleared of any major flood damage.
Flood recovery work has been taking place this week at:
Forbes LGA
Pothole repair – Lachlan Valley Way
Pothole repair, patching and heavy patching – Escort Way
Parkes LGA
Pothole repair, patching, heavy patching – Henry Parkes Way
Pothole repair, patching, heavy patching – Escort Way
Pothole repair, heavy patching – Newell Highway
Cabonne LGA
Pothole repair, patching, heavy patching – Peabody Road
Pothole repair – Escort Way
Pothole repair – Mitchell Highway to Wellington
Dubbo LGA
Pothole repair, heavy patching – Mitchell Highway to Wellington
Pothole repair, patching – Newell Highway
Orange LGA
Pothole repair – Mitchell Highway
Bathurst LGA
Pothole repair – Mid Western Highway to Lyndhurst
Pothole repair – Great Western Highway
Pothole repair – Mitchell Highway
Cowra LGA
Large-scale heavy patching – Lachlan Valley Way and Canowindra Road
Pothole repair – Mid Western Highway
Lithgow LGA
Pothole repair – Great Western Highway
Blayney LGA
Pothole repair – Great Western Highway
Various
Bridge work including inspections and culvert clearing
Joint Media Release issued by Deputy Premier The Hon. Paul Toole, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads The Hon. Sam Farraway MLC and Minister for Western NSW Dugald Saunders – Friday 2 December 2022.
