Wombeyan Caves Road reopens
Following months of closure Wingecarribee Shire Council has this week re-opened Wombeyan Caves Road.
The popular tourist road located in the Shire’s west was closed after heavy rainfall in January caused extensive landslip damage.
Council contractor’s repaired the damaged section of road approximately 11 kilometres west of the Goodman’s Ford crossing at a cost of $150,000.
Remediation works involved constructing a large rock retaining batter, installation of a new stormwater pipe culvert and construction of a 22 metre concrete stormwater causeway.
During the closure Council also took the opportunity to undertake additional works nearby including the installation of two new concrete stormwater culverts and repairs to a secondary retaining wall.
“We’re delighted to be able to re-open the road all the way to the caves,” said Council’s Deputy General Manager Operations, Finance and Risk, Mr Barry Paull.
“It was an extremely challenging job in a remote area and we thank the road’s users and residents for their patience whilst we undertook these difficult repairs.”
The re-opening allows motorists to once again access Wombeyan Caves Road via the Old Hume Highway entrance point in Mittagong. Alternate access is still available via Goulburn and Taralga.
“Whilst the road has re-opened we remind users that it remains a remote rural road that should only be tackled by experienced drivers,” Mr Paull added. “The section of road immediately east of the caves remains particularly challenging and is not for the faint-hearted.”
Originally opened in 1900 as a tourist road linking the Southern Highlands to the caves, the road remains unsealed west of High Range.
“With the majority of the 80 kilometre road unsealed, narrow and winding, we remind motorists using the road to exercise care,” Mr Paull added.
“Council continues to recommend motorists venturing out to the caves to do so via the existing Goulburn-Taralga-Oberon Road.”
“In the interim we will continue to lobby the NSW State Government for greater funding to further improve the road.”