Warburton Highway landslip Q and As

Below are questions and answers regarding the Warburton Highway landslip repair works.

April 2023

Q. When will works to repair Warburton Highway take place?

Preliminary works will begin from Thursday 13 April and include site setup and putting in place environmental controls.

The Warburton Highway will be fully closed to all traffic from Wednesday 26 April to Wednesday 10 May 2023.

Following the full road closure, the Warburton Highway will reopen on 11 May to one lane with traffic lights.

Works will continue under this traffic arrangement and are expected to be completed and the road reopened in both directions by Wednesday 31 May 2023.

All works and time frames are subject to favourable weather.

Q. How are you going to repair the road?

Our team will be excavating to depths of approximately 3m in an area with a 6m embankment drop to the Yarra River, removing unstable soil and then rebuilding the highway.

We will be installing a retaining wall to support the structural integrity of the highway while it is being excavated, as well as installing barriers to allow excavation vehicles to safely work in the construction site. We will also be temporarily widening the road shoulder by approximately 1m to provide room for excavation vehicles, machinery and temporary lights.

Q. Will emergency services have access?

Emergency service vehicles will detour via Old Warburton Road and forest roads. In preparation for the landslip repairs, we’ve been working closely with all emergency services agencies to mitigate the impact on the local community.

Q. What is the detour for motorists whilst the closure takes place from late April to May 2023?

Old Warburton Road is the primary detour for suitable light vehicles up to 5.2m in length such as passenger vehicles and mini-vans/buses and small delivery vehicles/trucks throughout this closure period.

For the safety of the community there will be a temporary speed limit in place of 40km/hr on Old Warburton Road. During certain times, such as when school buses are using the detour route, the speed limit will be reduced to 30km/h. Please obey all traffic management, signage and personnel.

During this time bike riders and pedestrians should use the Rail Trail and avoid using Old Warburton Road due to the additional vehicles that will be using it as the detour.

We’re also undertaking minor improvement works so Old Warburton Road can be used as a detour. Authorised shuttle buses over 5.2m are permitted to run on Old Warburton Road to maintain essential services.

Q. What improvement works are taking place to Old Warburton Road?

Works will include road surface repairs, inspecting trees and removing any dangerous branches, installing guideposts, reflective raised markers, temporary barriers
and line markings and installing temporary lighting to assist motorists at night.

Q. When will improvement works to Old Warburton Road take place?

Works to improve Old Warburton Road started in early April and are expected to be completed by Monday 24 April. We will be working between the hours of 7.00am and 5.00pm.

Q. Why is a hard closure of Warburton Highway required to repair the landslip?

To repair the Warburton Highway, we need to excavate to approximately 3m. Once the team have excavated to 3m, new solid foundations will be laid ahead of the
resurfacing, enabling the road to cater to the needs of the community for many years to come.

Q. Why haven’t the landslip repair works started yet?

This is a complex project which has required significant planning from a number of different teams and external agencies. In preparation for the landslip repairs, we’ve been working closely with all emergency services agencies and Yarra Ranges Council to mitigate the impact on the local community as much as possible.

Q. How will my suppliers access my restaurant in Warburton?

The detours in place during the full road closure of Warburton Highway will add additional travel time to journeys.

During the full road closure of Warburton Highway, the following detours will be available:

• Light vehicles up to 5.2m in length will detour via Old Warburton Road. Route is not suitable for towing during this time. Additional travel time of 20 minutes can
  be expected. The detour will have a temporary speed reduction of 40km/h during this time.
• Vehicles up to 12.5m in length can detour via sealed roads. Detour via Maroondah Highway, Marysville Road, Marysville-Woods Point Road and Woods Point Road. Additional travel time of 1.5 hours can be expected. Motorists can begin their journey in Yarra Junction which will add an expected 2 hours of travel time. . Due to a planned event and road closure on Marysville-Woods Point Road on Saturday 6 May and Sunday 7 May 2023, this detour will be unavailable. 
• Heavy vehicles only up to 12.5m in length can detour via unsealed forest roads. The detour will be one-way only, and the direction of traffic will be time-based.

Detour open for vehicles travelling into Warburton

Time: from 5.00am to 11.00am, and from 5.00pm to 11.00pm

Detour route: via Blacksands Road, Big Creek Road, Smythe Creek Road, Burns Road, Big Pats Creek Road, Riverside Drive, Woods Point Road

Detour open for vehicles leaving Warburton

Time: from 12.00pm to 4.00pm, and from 12.00am to 4.00am.

Detour route: via Woods Point Road, Riverside Drive, Big Pats Creek Road, Burns Road, Smythe Creek Road, Big Creek Road, Blacksands Road.

Traffic management and controllers will be in place 24 hours, 7 days a week during the detour period and positioned along the detour to assist vehicles.

We’ll be undertaking regular road inspections on the forest roads and crews will be available to respond to any emergencies.

The detour will have a temporary speed reduction of 40km/h. There are some sections of this route that do not have mobile phone reception.

Q. What access will there be for residents living on Warburton Highway and connecting local roads during the full road closure?

Property access will be maintained for residents living within the closed section of the highway, but they will be unable to pass the landslip site between approximately
3263 Warburton Highway and Mayer Bridge.

Q. How will you assist businesses affected by the Warburton Highway full road closure?

These works are necessary to repair the Warburton Highway and prevent future landslips occurring.

Counselling services and confidential one-on-one support from business advisors are available for local businesses. To find out more, please get in touch with us via [email protected]

Businesses will be open during works so shop, stay and play in the area to support the local community.

Q. Will you provide compensation for businesses?

DTP does not provide compensation for essential works we carry out to repair and improve the road network, as authorised under the Road Management Act 2004.

Q. I am a freight operator. How will freight be detoured when Warburton Highway is closed? How long is the detour route?

Vehicles up to 12.5m in length can detour via sealed roads. Detour via Maroondah Highway, Marysville Road, Marysville-Woods Point Road and Woods Point Road. Additional travel time of 1.5 hours can be expected. Motorists can begin their journey in Yarra Junction which will add an expected 2 hours of travel time.

Heavy vehicles only up to 12.5m in length can detour via unsealed forest roads The detour will be one-way only, and the direction of traffic will be time-based.

Detour open for vehicles travelling into Warburton

Time: from 5.00am to 11.00am, and from 5.00pm to 11.00pm

Detour route: via Blacksands Road, Big Creek Road, Smythe Creek Road, Burns Road, Big Pats Creek Road, Riverside Drive, Woods Point Road.

Q. Will our rubbish still be picked up?

Yarra Ranges Shire Council have advised that rubbish collection will continue as normal during this period.

Q. Will my meals on wheels service be impacted?

Yarra Ranges Shire Council have advised that they will continue to provide their Meals on Wheels service to impacted residents.

Q. How will bus services be impacted?

For the latest plans for public transport (Route 683) and school bus operations during the road closure visit VicRoads website and search ‘Warburton Highway
landslip repairs’ or visit ptv.vic.gov.au

Find out more

For more information, visit the project page on our site.

Email: [email protected]

Project hotline: 0427 661 572 available from 26 April between 8:00am and 5:00pm or call 13 11 70, 24 hours, 7 days a week 

Visit: vicroads.vic.gov.au or ptv.vic.gov.au