UPDATE: Summerland Way open, Pacific Hwy diversions through Casino

ABOVE: Summerland Way at Leeville, as it looked on Wednesday, March 2. Photo: Diana Neville

Summerland Way is open and drivers are asked to be cautious of conditions, Richmond Valley Council advised.

Pacific Motorway traffic is being diverted from Grafton through Casino up to Cedar Point, turning onto Bentley Road through to Lismore, Wollongbar and back to the highway at Tintenbar via Rifle Range Road, Tuckombill Road and Teven Road.

Locals can expect increased traffic volumes and B-Double trucks.

Traffic control presence will be at either end of Manifold Road to stop trucks using it as a detour.

Bentley Road is reduced to one lane at two separate sections. Section one is a significant landslide closing one lane that is not expected in the short term to reopen. Section two is a shoulder slip which is under repair and expected to be completed in the coming days, weather permitting. Both sections are operating under traffic light control.

The Casino-Coraki Road is closed due to flooding. As the flood waters recede, council roads crews will inspect the condition of the road, culverts and bridges for damage and safety. The condition of the road remains unknown at this stage as it is still flooded.

Towns including Coraki and Woodburn remain inaccessible.

Whiporie General Store on the Summerland Way is open although they are out of milk but have everything else.

Shop owner Sarah Williams said they were meeting a supply truck in Grafton today to stock up the shop.

“We will have to start limiting fuel,” Sarah said.

“I’ve heard farmers in Eureka are having to throw out their milk,” she said.