A chaotic weather week in the hills has seen a well travelled tourist road reduced to single lane traffic after a landslide near Sassafras.
Mount Dandenong Tourist Road/Mason Grove was the site of the event in Sassafras after heavy rainfall and flooding across the Yarra Ranges region.
VICSES media said Emerald unit volunteers attended a reported landslide at Mt Dandenong Tourist Road on Tuesday morning 16 July.
“They assessed the scene before handing it to VicRoads,” said the VICSES spokesperson.
VicEmergency posted to social media that emergency services were on the scene and traffic management was in place on the day – with the road closed in both directions.
The road reopened by Wednesday 17 July and SES Emerald unit controller Ben Owen said the road is now down to a single lane.
“The main concern now is about the ongoing winter weather and conditions on the road,” he said.
Traffic management will now be in in place following the landslide and a VICSES spokesperson said on Friday 19 July that the Mt Dandenong Tourist Road was been re-opened.
“When a landslide occurs, VICSES works closely with local partner agencies to ensure the safety of the local community and motorists,” they said.
“The Department of Transport is now managing this incident and will oversee the restoration of the site.
“If a landslide occurs, contact VICSES on 132 500 for emergency assistance, or Triple Zero (000) in life-threatening emergencies.”
Repair and clean up crews are likely to remain in the area over the coming weeks, meaning delays could be lengthy.
Motorists should still consider avoiding Mount Dandenong Tourist Road over the weekend alternative routes include the Burwood Highway, Monbulk Road and Olinda-Monbulk Road.
