Araluen Road closed to through traffic

Araluen Road is closed to through traffic as work begins to stabilise roadside slopes from today.

Heavy rainfall in July and August has damaged the roadside surrounds, leading to loose and dangerous rocks and landslips at various locations in the Deua River Valley and Merricumbene.

Only residents will be able to access Araluen Road while stable roadsides are re-established.

Council’s director of infrastructure Warren Sharpe said Araluen Road was not a suitable alternative to the Kings Highway at any time.

“It’s a long and narrow unsealed road, made less safe after damage from heavy rain in the last few months,” Mr Sharpe said.

“The nature of the works mean the road needs to be closed to position material and plant on narrow sections of the road.”

Traffic control measures will be in place, with heavy machinery active along the road.

During daytime hours, commuters should use the Kings Highway route between Batemans Bay and Braidwood. As the Kings Highway is shut from 6pm to 6am Monday to Thursday until 31 October, light vehicles should use the Princes Highway and Nerriga Road detour – an additional 75 minutes – and heavy vehicles should travel by way of the Princes Highway, Picton Road and the Hume Highway – an additional 3.5 hours.

For more information contact Council’s Moruya Depot on 4474 1391.