Works along an iconic northeast alpine tourist route are on track to be completed in late May, restoring two-way traffic for skiers, tourists and the Falls Creek community for the first time in nearly 18 months.
The Allan Labor Government’s major remediation and prevention works after major landslip along Bogong High Plains Road are set to wrap up ahead of Victoria’s busy snow season.
As one of the state’s busiest tourism routes, Bogong High Plains Road connects Victoria’s alpine region to tens of thousands of visitors each year and supports local industries like agriculture and tourism.
The road was closed in the wake of October 2022’s devastating heavy rainfall due to debris from a mammoth slow-moving landslide, above the township of Bogong Village between Mount Beauty and Falls Creek.
It was one of the largest landslips experienced on Victoria’s road network in 40 years – standing 70 meters tall and 100 meters wide, the landslip towered higher than the MCG’s Shane Warne Stand and sprawled wider than an Airbus A380.
The Bogong High Plains Road opened under single lane traffic control ahead of schedule in late April last year, following a mammoth effort that saw crews work around the clock battling harsh weather conditions.
Since the major weather event, Major Road Projects Victoria have worked closely with East Gippsland based contractor Whelans Group Investments to incrementally excavate and safely remove around 600,000 tonnes of material from the slope. Investment in these works created 65 direct jobs.
In addition to the landslip works, crews are resurfacing the impacted pavement section of Bogong High Plains Road, installing new guardrails, and improving drainage.
As stated by Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne
“After the devastating landslip our crews have worked tirelessly to not only repair the damage to Bogong High Plains Road but to prevent the risk of another dangerous landslip reoccurring here – making it safer for those heading up to the slopes this snow season and for the entire Falls Creek community.””The Bogong High Plains Road provides vital access to Victoria’s high country and its safe reopening will help ensure locals and visitors can move freely.”
As stated by Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
“The Bogong High Plains Road provides vital access to Victoria’s high country and its safe reopening will help ensure locals and visitors can move freely.”
