The Tasman Highway through the Sideling has officially opened to traffic this morning, following extensive repairs to damage caused during floods last October.
The completed repairs involved the rebuilding and reinforcement of a steep embankment which collapsed due to severe rainfall, undermining the highway and requiring its closure.
A seven-metre-high support structure of the 190 rock-filled gabion baskets has also been constructed to support the road.
The Sideling still remains closed to articulated heavy vehicles while the project progresses, but it is due for completion in May 2024.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Michael Ferguson, said there will continue to be lane closures and reduced speed limits as work continues on several smaller repair sites, as well as the separate Sideling Upgrade project.
“Work will also continue on the Sideling upgrade project with the same lane closures and reduced speed limits in place as before the highway was closed,” he said.
“However, at least one lane will remain open at all times.”
The current works involve upgrading the 4.5-kilometre section of the Tasman Highway from Corkerys Road to Whish-Wilson Road, Springfield with road widening, improvements to the road base, new stopping bays, drainage works and safety improvements.
“I thank all members of the community for their patience and understanding while we completed the repairs and thanks are also due to the Department of State Growth and its contractors for their efforts in completing this massive task in difficult terrain,” Ferguson said.
“When local residents start driving on the Sideling in coming weeks, they will be amazed at the scale and the quality of the much wider road as it climbs the windy Eastern side travelling up to the lookout.”
