Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council today updated information about roads in the region that remain affected by bushfires and floods as at 14 February.

Araluen Road (between Araluen Village and the QPRC boundary) – Fire and Flood affected. Crews continue to remove dangerous fire damaged vegetation from the roadsides. We estimate that these works will take approximately four weeks to complete. Araluen Road has also suffered some severe flood damage. Unsealed areas of the road have had the gravel pavement completely washed away. Council staff are working to have the pavement made safe and will be working with Transport for NSW under the Natural Disaster funding to have the road brought back to its original standard, which will include maintenance grading and gravel resheeting in sections. This work is estimated to take approximately 6-8 weeks to be fully completed.

Cooma Road (south of Jinden) – Fire affected. Crews continue to remove dangerous fire damaged vegetation from the roadsides. We estimate that these works will take approximately 4-6 weeks to complete. The road is currently open to local traffic only.

Nerriga Road – Fire and Flood affected. Crews continue to remove dangerous fire damaged vegetation from the roadsides. We estimate that these works will take approximately 2-4 weeks to complete. The Charleyong bridge (timber) is currently closed to all traffic. Transport for NSW are working to have the new concrete bridge open to traffic ahead of schedule. Detours are currently in place, using Charleys Forest Road or Oallen Road routes. It is understood that the new concrete bridge will be open to traffic within the coming weeks.

Monga Lane – Lyons Bridge (timber) on Monga Lane has suffered substantial structural damage due to the volume of heavy vehicles responding to the fire activities in the area. The bridge has been closed to all traffic. Detours are in place and affected residents being notified. This bridge will be assessed as part of the natural disaster funding and be replaced with a concrete bridge structure. These works will take 8-12 weeks to be completed.

There are numerous unsealed roads that have been affected by the recent heavy rains. Flooding is still evident in isolated areas.

All motorists are urged to drive to the conditions of the road, and to please have patience whilst Council staff work our way through the backlog of damaged roads.