The Kings Highway was closed in both directions earlier today due to a rock fall near Pooh Corner.
As per standard advice the public was asked to avoid the area, use an alternative route or delay your trip until the highway reopens with anyone already in the area to exercise care and follow directions of council crews.
Fortunately the crews were able to clear the rock fall in good time.
The Beagle understands that following the bushfires and the impact the fires had on the vegetation along the Kings Highway the further impact of flooding rains has left the top of the Clyde in a fragile state. So much so that a report has been prepared by consultants and provided to the RMS indicating that major works are required that will need to be considered in the next State budget.
With the Araluen Road now closed the news of major works on the Kings Highway becomes more concerning as the impact on travellers between the coast and inland to Canberra and beyond will see the return of the substantive detours required via Nerriga and the Brown Mountain.
In the meantime Council are advising that they are seeking State and Federal funding to build a bypass around the rock falls on Araluen Road. This is all very preliminary as they conduct more geotechnical tests making the prospect of restoration of returning Araulen Road to its status of a functional and integral road in the region two or more years away.
