Rock fall on Southern Outlet to close lane of major highway

Road works are set to disrupt a busy route on the Southern Outlet following a rockfall last week. TRAFFIC CHANGES >>

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The State Government has announced works to remove earth from the rockface on the Southern Outlet highway will be carried out following a slippage during wet weather last week.

Works to repair the wall are scheduled from 7am to 2.30pm this Wednesday, June 23 before the afternoon peak near the Lea turn-off.

A rockfall on the Southern Outlet between Hobart and Kingston caused disruptions to traffic on Thursday, 17 June 2021.

The Department of State Growth said although the safety fencing across the rock face was successful in slowing last week’s fall more work has to be done to prevent further slippages.

“A concrete barrier was installed on Friday to protect the road from any further slippage while the condition of the rock face was investigated,” said a spokesperson from State Growth.

A reduced speed limit will be enforced for Kingston bound drivers while heavy machinery is brought in to remove rocks.

A rockfall on the Southern Outlet between Hobart and Kingston caused disruptions to traffic on Thursday, 17 June 2021.

The fall comes just weeks after the Tasman Highway at Orford was closed at Paradise Gorge to remove boulders above the road that bared a risk to passing motorists.

The highway is expected to reopen in mid-July.