Kempsey Road Project (Armidale)
This project is being carried out by Armidale Regional Council in the Armidale Local Government Area.
Background
The Kempsey-Armidale Road is an important corridor which links Armidale and the coast. The road also supports agriculture and tourism industries in both the Armidale and Kempsey regions.
The road was severely damaged by bushfires at the end of 2019 and subsequent flooding in 2020 and 2022.
The condition of the road has deteriorated due to these natural disasters and several landslips. Various emergency works have been undertaken to open the road to the public. Armidale Regional Council is continuing work to rehabilitate and restore 45kms of Kempsey-Armidale Road to pre-disaster condition.
Project status
15 July 2022
Works continuing on the Kempsey to Armidale Road
Soil nail works will be continuing at Flying Fox Cutting until Wednesday 21 July 2022 when the crew will have four days off. Work will recommence on 25 July 2022.
Formwork and concrete works will be continuing at Waterfall Corner until Wednesday 21 July 2022 when the crew will have four days off. Work will recommence on 26 July 2022.
During this time, traffic will continue to be able to pass through before 7am, between 9am and 9.30am, and after 4pm. Critical concrete works for a section of the road at George’s Junction occurred on Thursday 14 July and Friday 15 July 2022, requiring temporary closure of the road at this location between 10am and 4pm.
This was to allow concrete trucks to safely access the work site. Final concrete works at this location will be ongoing until about Thursday 21 July 2022 due to issues with concrete availability. The temporary road closure will occur from 10am until 4pm.
The project apologises for any inconvenience this may cause. The Kempsey to Armidale Road is open to local residents for essential travel and emergency services only. Access restrictions still apply.
The road is currently restricted to local traffic with a 4.3 tonne weight limit. Mail deliveries along the Kempsey to Armidale Road continue to be split between the Wollomombi General Store and the Bellbrook Country Post Outlet while the traffic window is in place at Flying Fox Cutting.
This is due to the 9am-9:30am traffic window, which does not leave enough time for deliveries to be made along the entire road and the mail deliverer to return to Kempsey. Mail for properties between 7456 and 8574 Kempsey Road, Logan Creek Road and Smiths Creek Road is delivered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to the Bellbrook Country Post Outlet.
Mail for properties between 8851 and 10790 Kempsey Road, Lower Creek Road and Petrio Road is delivered on Fridays to the Wollomombi General Store.
Armidale Regional Council will keep Australia Post updated about any changes to the traffic window at Flying Fox Cutting. The Council have set up a redirection for all phone inquiries regarding the Kempsey to Armidale Road.
All inquiries should be directed to 1300 136 833 and press menu option 1 to speak to the project’s community liaison officer. Alternatively email council@armidale.nsw.gov.au
More Information
General information on the project can be found on Armidale Regional Council's website