Adelaide Hills Council in South Australia has undertaken significant reconstruction works following the devastating storms in the area last year.
The Adelaide Hills were among a number of areas severely affected by storm events during September and October. An enormous volume of water flooded across roads, through homes and businesses, and caused numerous hazards, a path of debris and landslips, with a number of roads and key infrastructure suffering significant damage.
While some were left stranded in their homes without electricity, others were concerned about the approaching fire danger and cherry seasons, realising the extent of damaged infrastructure.
Montacute and Fox Creek Roads were both severely compromised during the September and October storms respectively. Montacute Road was left severely scoured with major erosion causing it to be closed to traffic in both directions for a period of time. Remediation works commenced within a week and were carried out over two stages.
After five weeks of reconstruction work, Montacute Road reopened to traffic on 31 October. While it was anticipated that single lane access would be reinstated at this time, a collaborative effort with the Departments of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI), and Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) saw dual lane access opened to the public.
This was warmly welcomed by the local cherry growers about to embark on the vital picking season, and the community that had been concerned that the fire danger season was also around the corner.
Stage 2 of the reconstruction works involved reinstating emergency vehicle access to gates 17 and 18 into Black Hill Conservation Park.
The sheer level and force of the water during the storm blocked a culvert, sending the powerful stream of water off the natural creek alignment and into the roadside, causing the erosion. While the remediation works during stage one included the realignment of the creek to its natural flow, access to Black Hill Conservation Park is currently in progress.
Engineering and level surveys were undertaken to provide the necessary information to facilitate the next stage of design.
Fox Creek Road remains open with single lane access however speed and weight restrictions are in place. The road suffered a significant landslip for which engineering design solutions are currently being prepared
Progress updates will be available at ahc.sa.gov.au
