Fires force lengthy highway closure

Reviewed

The Oxley Highway between Long Flat and Walcha has been heavily impacted by bushfires and will remain closed until clean up and repair work has been undertaken.

Fire damage to Oxley Highway

Substantial damage

The blazes caused substantial damage requiring the removal of trees and the restoration of damaged guard rails, retaining walls and the road surface.

Transport for NSW will reopen the road as soon as it is safe to do so, but there are significant challenges to make the road safe.

Types of damage

Four retaining walls, which prevent the road from collapsing down the slope, and vegetation holding the slopes together has been burnt away, leaving potential for rock and soil slides during high winds or rainfall.

Many kilometres of guard rail have been damaged and need to be sourced and replaced.

Transport for NSW will notify the community when the highway reopens.

Many kilometres of guard rail have been damaged beyond repair.
Many kilometres of guard rail have been damaged beyond repair.
Essential retaining walls have been damaged in four locations.
Essential retaining walls have been damaged in four locations.
Trees beside the highway need to be assessed for risk before the highway can reopen.
Trees beside the highway need to be assessed for risk before the highway can reopen.

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