Michael Ferguson,Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
The Department of State Growth has been monitoring the stability of rocks above the Tasman Highway at Paradise Gorge near Orford, and has received expert advice that there is a need to work swiftly to remove rock to manage the risk of a rock fall.
While the advice is that the road is currently safe to travel on, there is a need to commence work quickly as adverse weather and frost forecast for this weekend could increase risk.
This means the road will be closed from 11:55pm this Friday 28 May, with work immediately getting underway.
The site of the road closure is around 1.5 kilometres from Orford (if travelling from Hobart) and will impact traffic in both directions.
This work will be complex and, unfortunately, will mean a closure of several weeks. I want to acknowledge the impact this will have on many in our community, but safety must come first.
An alternate route to the east coast is available via the Midland Highway and Lake Leake Road, however this journey will be significantly longer than the direct route via Tasman Highway and road users are urged to plan ahead.
Motorists can also use Wielangta Road, which is having additional safety works undertaken today, but they will need to drive to conditions given it is a gravel road. This road is not suitable for heavy vehicles.
The Department of State Growth is writing to all residents, schools, emergency services, transport companies, organisations, and businesses in the region to advise them of the situation, and the details and timetable for the Government's work to safely remove the dangerous material, and how they will be kept informed. The Department is also working closely with essential services and providers to ensure appropriate planning and alternate arrangements are in place.
While we understand this will cause disruption to many Tasmanians and tourists to our State, we simply can't jeopardise the safety of our road users.
