All major arterial roads across the Mount Dandenong region have reopened one month after wild storms hit the state.
An estimated 7000 tonnes or 750 truckloads of debris have been removed from the area according to the Department of Transport, with work crews clearing roads of debris, cleaning out drains, and removing traffic hazards and large trees blocking the roads
A total of 107 hazardous trees identified by crews and arborists have been pruned or removed along arterial roads.
Crews have been able to reopen all major arterial roads to the public safely. As a result, from today, Mount Dandenong Tourist Road has fully reopened.
Vince Punaro, Executive Director Metro South-East, Department of Transport said, “The reopening of these major roads is a significant milestone in the clean-up – I want to thank the tireless work of our crews and contractors to reconnect communities and make our roads safe.
“It has been an enormous coordinated effort – the scale of the clean-up faced by everyone involved cannot be understated.”
The reopening of this road is in addition to Olinda-Monbulk Road, Emerald-Monbulk Road, Mountain Highway, and Ridge Road, which reopened in recent weeks.
Works are still ongoing to reopen several local roads and are currently being assessed by Yarra Ranges Council.
The department shared that crews have been working hard to get arterial roads open for safe travel, but returning the roads to their initial condition will be an ongoing effort.
Over coming weeks and months, they will be on site cleaning up roadsides, conducting asphalt works and repairing damaged road barriers.
Community members are urged to continue to obey temporary speeds to keep them safe while they undertake this important work.
Motorists are asked to drive safely, allow extra time on their journey, and look out for traffic management signs.
For further information about local road closures or traffic updates, please visit traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au, or follow VicRoads on Facebook or Twitter.
