Contractors managing the reconstruction of 38 landslips caused by flooding in 2022 in Kangaroo Valley and Burrier have provided their preliminary schedule of works with road closures.
The $40 million road construction project has been funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Disaster Fund and involves 15 roads in the Shoalhaven.
Since their appointment earlier in the year, Symal have been reviewing and testing each site to determine the most appropriate techniques, materials and equipment required to reconstruct the road at the landslip sites.
The contract has been managed by NSW Public Works to work with the contractor to progress and support the project.
“Each landslip site presents its own technical challenges to rebuild sections of road in narrow spaces using specialist equipment where the ground has been destabilised,” said Acting Director City Services, Craig Exton.
“It’s always been our intention to complete these works as comprehensively and promptly as possible to restore access back to normal for communities affected by these road closures,” Mr Exton said.
“We understand that road closures are disruptive and are working with Symal and residents to provide vehicle access wherever possible. We are also working with residents on a case-by-case basis to find appropriate solutions to provide access during full road closure times,” he said.
“While these works are not going as quickly as was initially anticipated, this is typical of projects of this magnitude and complexity.”
Residents with any concerns about access should contact Council to discuss alternative options that could be made available.
After hearing from the community, road works on Burrier Road have been arranged to be done during the night to avoid disrupting the commercial activities in that area. Night works are scheduled to begin on Sunday 13 August with road access maintained for the first of three landslip works. Council has arranged for a courtesy shuttle but to provide access to residents during these road closures.
Work has also started on Upper Kangaroo River Road with daytime road closures anticipated to continue until November to complete the four landslip sites in that area.
Daytime road works will begin next week on Bunkers Hill Road to reconstruct five landslip sites along the road before December.
Woodhill Mountain Road and Wattamolla Road are still under investigation and dates for road closures are anticipated soon.
Road closure updates are on the website and are being updated each week.
We thank the community for their ongoing patience and support while we tackle this unprecedented challenge.
