Heavy rainfall led to the closure of Tyalgum Road at the site of the extreme landslip that happened during the 2022 floods.
The automatic gates on either side of the temporary track at the extreme landslip on Tyalgum Road were shut at 6.30pm on Tuesday, 16 January following heavy rainfall in the area.
‘The decision to close the gates was triggered after more than 50 mm of rainfall per day was recorded at the slip across two consecutive days. This is one of several triggers that require the road to be closed until the slip can be properly assessed by a geotechnical engineer,’ stated Tweed Shire Council in a press release.
The gates were re-opened at 7.30am Wednesday, 17 January following a safety inspection by geotechnical engineers. A similar process occurred earlier this month following the deluge on New Year’s Day.
Prior to October 2023, Tyalgum Road was completely shut to motorists for almost 20 months due to an extreme landslip which occurred during the February–March 2022 flood. A temporary access track was opened last October, providing single-lane access to motorists under traffic light direction, offering temporary relief while repairs on a more permanent fix for the road are undertaken.
Council’s Manager Infrastructure Delivery Tim Mackney said the decision to close the gates was in keeping with agreed conditions of the project contract and geotechnical modelling.
‘Safety is our number one priority when it comes to the opening of Tyalgum Road,’ Mr Mackney said.
‘When we opened the temporary track in October last year, we explained then that access was dependent upon certain conditions continuing to be met.
‘Our instrumentation on site monitors rainfall and ground movements in the area. If the predetermined trigger points are reached, we are obligated to shut the gates until a full safety assessment can be completed by our geotechnical specialists.
‘We appreciate this is difficult for local residents but the alternative would have been to keep the road closed until permanent repairs are completed in 2025. By monitoring the site, and temporarily closing the road, we are doing everything we can to provide safe passage to motorists until the permanent repair can be completed.’
Mr Mackney said an act of vandalism undertaken by a motorist at the gates overnight had been captured by CCTV and would be forwarded to NSW Police for action.
‘The gates are in place to protect motorists. Damaging the gates puts that driver, subsequent motorists and operations staff at risk,’ he said.
Council will advise the community via its various communication channels of any imminent change/s or the need to temporarily close the access road should a concern arise again in the future.
Keep up to date with Council’s flood restoration works at: tweed.nsw.gov.au/flood-restoration-works.
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