Michael Ferguson,Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
As we get closer to reopening the Tasman Highway, earthmoving equipment will arrive on-site tomorrow to start taking away the large amount of material removed from the Paradise Gorge rock face.
I am now advised that an estimated 2,000 tonnes of material has been brought down from the rock face in the past month as specialist teams worked to remove the potential safety threat to the Tasman Highway.
Some of the material will be used for stabilisation on-site, with the rest shuttled by truck to a nearby quarry to be used in other roadworks in the region.
In addition to the rock, the gravel cushion protecting the road surface will also be removed. The key next step will be for the road itself to be assessed to identify any repairs required before reopening the Tasman Highway, which remains on-track for mid-July.
Work will also start soon on installing mesh across the bottom of the rock face to help prevent small rocks falling onto the road in the future. This work will not delay the reopening of the road.
The Department continues to monitor Wielangta Road and Lake Leake Road daily and repairs are being undertaken as required.
Road users are reminded to drive to the conditions and comply with the speed limits for everyone's safety.
If you encounter potential hazards on these roads, please report them to the State Roads 24/7 hotline on 1300 139 933.
