The SA department for infrastructure and transport says some roads are already in the process of temporarily closing to limit rising river flow damage
The South Australian government’s department for infrastructure and transport has issued an update on road and ferry closures as the River Murray flows continue rising.
With River Murray water levels continuing to rise steadily, some road and ferry closures are expected within the next week. The department says it is continuing to work to prepare for these closures and to establish detours.
Bookpurnong Road is expected to be closed between Berri and Kemp Road this week due to rising water levels.
Signage will be installed to advise road users of the detour route, which will be via Stanitzki Road to Sturt Highway, through Paringa and Renmark and onto Old Sturt Highway in Berri.
While this detour will add significant travel time for locals, the department says the closure of Bookpurnong Road is required for the safety of the community.
The department will keep roads open as long as safely possible, however other roads are likely to close in the coming weeks, including ferry access roads, as water levels continue to rise.
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Maps showing roads expected to close at different water levels will be available this week on the Department for Infrastructure and Transport’s website.
Detour routes for these potential road closures will also be available this week, to provide alternative road travel options for locals that need to travel across the region and allow the transport of essential supplies, commodities and services to continue to reach communities.
The department currently has work crews in the region preparing for potential road closures and detours. These crews will continue to undertake frequent road inspections to ensure that as much advance notice as possible can be provided for any road closures. Road closure and detour signage will be deployed to any affected roads to keep all road users safe as water levels rise.
Road users are reminded to plan their journey, always drive to the conditions and obey any speed restrictions and signage.