Waterfall Way will reopen to traffic under one-way conditions from 22 March, following emergency stabilisation works to restore access along the key regional corridor.
The road, which connects Bellingen and Dorrigo on the New South Wales Mid North Coast, was closed after a major landslip triggered by heavy rainfall destabilised the slope and deposited large volumes of material onto the roadway.
The incident involved ongoing ground movement and rockfall risk, creating an active hazard that required full closure while Transport for New South Wales and contractors assessed site stability and implemented temporary protection measures.
The early reopening, more than a week ahead of schedule, follows the installation of a gravel-filled shipping container barrier designed to shield vehicles from further slope movement and falling debris.
Under the current arrangement, a single lane will operate on the northern side of the road, with traffic controlled by signals and limited to one direction at a time at reduced speeds.
The reopening restores a critical connection for local communities and freight operators, while also enabling the return of school bus services and easing pressure on alternative routes, including Summervilles Road.
However, authorities have warned the site remains unstable, with access dependent on weather conditions and ongoing slope behaviour. The road may be closed at short notice in response to rainfall or further movement.
New South Wales Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison, said the reopening followed an intensive effort to re-establish access.
“After an around-the-clock effort, Waterfall Way will reopen ahead of schedule, restoring a critical link for the region,” Aitchison said.
“This is still a live site, and access will depend on weather and ground conditions, but we are working to keep the community and freight moving safely.”
The works also contribute to a broader corridor assessment of Waterfall Way between Bellingen and Dorrigo, which will identify short-term improvements and inform longer-term investment to improve resilience.
The assessment is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026.
