I’m very pleased to confirm works are being finalised to allow the Tasman Highway at Paradise Gorge to reopen to traffic from 7:00am tomorrow morning.
The final cleaning and initial road repairs are being completed to allow one lane to open under a reduced speed limit of 40 km/h and traffic management controls.
The project has involved the removal of a large amount of vegetation, which means more of the rock in the area is now visible. All high-risk rock has been removed and we will continue to monitor the area by both regular inspections and remote monitoring systems.
Traffic controllers will be present to direct traffic through the 300-metre single lane section and mobile traffic lights will also be in place.
While we appreciate there will be interest in the changed rockface, we ask drivers to pay attention to their speed and the traffic control measures, as well as other vehicles while work is continuing.
This will ensure everyone’s safety, including those working to complete the final works and return the highway to normal driving conditions.
These final works include installation of a mesh fence on the rockface, repairs to the stone wall next to the river and, finally, resurfacing the road.
We thank the community for their understanding during the road closure, and their continued understanding of the delays while the road is re-opened under traffic management.
I also thank the Council for their ongoing support during this period.
For further information and regular updates visit www.transport.tas.gov.au/orford
More Media Releases from Michael Ferguson
More Media Releases from the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport