Newell Highway expected to be closed for weeks as rain, supply issues for repairs continue

The Newell Highway has been hit by closures in the northern and southern Riverina since October, but the section between West Wyalong and Forbes has been hit particularly hard.

Forbes recorded 118 millimetres of rainfall to 9am Monday, while West Wyalong recorded 33.4 millimetres across that period.

Transport for NSW director West Alistair Lunn said the Newell Highway between Forbes and West Wyalong remains closed to all vehicles due to "water on the road" and "extensive pavement damage."

Mr Lunn said the Newell closure south of Forbes is "expected to remain in place for several weeks, depending on future weather events and water levels of the nearby Lachlan River."

"Transport for NSW is assessing the impacted road network daily and crews are carrying out urgent repairs wherever possible, keeping in mind that repairs can only be made to dry road surfaces," he said.

"The focus is to keep people and freight moving through the network despite the flooding and condition of the roads."

IN OTHER NEWS:

One community feeling the impacts of the ongoing closure is West Wyalong, located on the Newell and Bland Shire mayor Brian Monaghan said it is hitting local businesses particularly hard.

"It's having a big impact, particularly on service providers like the service stations, restaurants, motels and other businesses like that," Cr Monaghan said.

"When their business is down, there's a flow-on effects for the rest of the community, so it is significant."

The mayor said supply issues were also becoming pronounced as the closure of the Newell drags on.

"We're having trouble bringing sand down from Forbes for concreting for building," Cr Monaghan said.

"That is creating headaches, and there are also a whole lot more goods and services that simply aren't coming to the town right now."

The Sturt Highway between Darlington Point and Collingullie also remains closed, as does the Newell Highway between Gillenbah and Jerilderie.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: