Paradise Gorge road reopening in full tonight

Michael Ferguson,Minister for Infrastructure and Transport

I’m very pleased to announce that the Tasman Highway at Paradise Gorge will return to normal tonight, earlier than anticipated, with the completion of repairs and other work following the removal of high-risk rocks overhanging the highway.

From 5pm, both lanes of the highway will be open to traffic 24 hours a day, seven days a week with a speed limit of 80km per hour.

The highway was closed on 29 May 2021 for the urgent removal of rocks that had been identified as posing a high risk of falling onto the road.

The Tasmanian Liberal Government recognises the impact the closure has had on the local communities and greatly appreciates their patience and understanding during this important safety project.

The Government acted swiftly to ensure the safety of road users and remove the potential risk immediately after it was identified.

More than 2,000 tonnes of rock were removed over six weeks. One lane was reopened to traffic on 8 July while remaining work was carried out.

This work, including installation of mesh across the bottom of the rock face, to help prevent small rocks falling onto the road in the future, and repairs to the drainage and a stone wall along the Prosser River, is now complete.

Damage to the road from the rock removal has been temporarily repaired; however, work teams will return later in the year when the weather is warmer to apply a final seal to the affected section of road. This work will involve single lane closures and reduced speed limits.

A longer term risk management plan for the Tasman Highway at the Gorge will be updated with information gained from the rock-removal project.

I thank the community for its understanding during these unprecedented works and everyone who worked on this massive project for their wonderful efforts around the clock and the Council for its ongoing support during this period.

/Public Release. View in full here.