Road Freight NSW (RFNSW) has warned heavy vehicle operators that the flood situation in NSW is changing rapidly, with road closures due to occur with little notice.
Ongoing extensive rainfall is now resulting in major flooding for the Forbes area and in the event the Newell Highway is closed due to flooding between Forbes and West Wyalong, alternative heavy vehicle routes will be dependant on vehicle mass, said RFNSW in a bulletin to members this morning.
The association also released the below information for operators.
OSOM vehicles
Suitable detours for oversized, overmass (OSOM) vehicles may not be available, depending on where flooding occurs. OSOM vehicles should avoid the area.
The map below details the most suitable route between Moree and the Victorian border for these vehicle types via Gwydir Highway, Kamilaroi Highway, Kidman Way, re-joining the Newell Highway at Jerilderie. This will add about 2 hours travel time to journeys.
Restricted Access Heavy Vehicles
The most direct detour route for all other Restricted Access Heavy Vehicles, and most popular during the 2016 flood event, diverted to the following routes:
Mitchell Highway at Dubbo, following Peabody Road from Molong,
The Escort Way from Boree,
Canowindra Road from Cudal,
Olympic Highway from Cowra and
Burley Griffin Way from Wallendbeen to re-join the Newell Highway at Mirrool.
This will add about two hours travel time to journeys.
RFNSW CEO Simon O’Hara said he is working to understand the impact of any highway closures of the industry’s ability to access the freight Covid-19 testing sites, and encourages drivers who require a test result to plan ahead.
“Most importantly, we encourage all heavy vehicle operators to plan your trip, and visit livetraffic.com for updated traffic conditions,” said O’Hara.
Updates from livetraffic.com are available here.