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Two lanes of the Emile Serisier Bridge have been closed following high river levels on Tuesday morning.
One lane each way remains open.
Dubbo Regional Council are working with the SES, Transport for NSW and NSW Police to monitor and make changes to the traffic conditions as river levels continue to rise.
The Bureau of Meterology are predicting the Macquarie River may peak near the moderate flood level of 7.90 metres on Tuesday afternoon.
In the event of further lane closures on Emile Serisier Bridge, there will be changed traffic conditions across the city to ease congestion and accommodate the significant increase in heavy vehicle movements along Cobra Street.
Across the CBD Bligh Street is closed, as is the Dubbo Visitor Information Centre Car Park and the Macquarie Regional Library Car Park.
Drive to the conditions
Residents and visitors are asked to drive to the road conditions, and are encouraged to stay informed using the following channels.
- Visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au or follow local units on Facebook
- Local road closures: www.dubbo.nsw.gov.au/flood
- State roads: www.livetraffic.com
- The ABC radio is the emergency broadcaster for any emergency announcements
- For the latest weather, warnings, rainfall and river heights visit www.bom.gov.au or phone 1300 945 108
- For rural animal and livestock assistance, contact your Local Land Services Office on 1300 795 299 or visit www.lls.nsw.gov.au
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Reconsider all travel
Motorists are being urged to reconsider their travel plans, after floodwaters closed or damaged major roads and highways across the Central Tablelands, Central West, Orana and Far West.
Heavy storms on Sunday and Monday morning brought falls of 120 millimetres of rain from the Blue Mountains to the Far West, causing significant damage to roads, bridges and transport infrastructure.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said people and communities are being evacuated and the extent of the damage cannot yet be safely assessed.
"I cannot stress enough just how important it is for motorists to be extra vigilant on the roads and of course, to never drive through floodwaters.
"There are images of roads being swept away by the force of these floods, which is a powerful reminder to us all that if it's flooded, forget it."
IMAGE: The Emile Serisier Bridge at Monday 3.30pm and Tuesday 6.30am
State roads impacting
Among the state roads impacted by the flooding, as at 8pm on Monday, were:
- Newell Highway: Closed in both directions between Forbes and West Wyalong; closed in both directions between Forest Road and Saleyards Road, Forbes to Parkes; closed in both directions between Gillenbah and Jerilderie.
- The Escort Way: Closed in both directions between Forbes and Cudal.
- Lachlan Valley Way: Closed at Forbes; closed between Forbes and Jemalong; closed between Gooloogong and Cowra.
- Mid Western Highway: Closed in both directions between Cowra and Lyndhurst; closed at Andersons Lane, Erigolia; closed in both directions between Newell Highway and Porters Mount Road, Back Creek.
- Henry Parkes Way: Closed at Parkes, Manildra, Parkes and other locations; closed between Parkes and Condobolin.
- Mitchell Highway: has reopened between Orange and Apsley, south of Wellington, after being closed due to flooding.
- Great Western Highway: The Great Western Highway at Kelso near Bathurst reopened to all vehicles overnight under a contra-flow to allow traffic to pass in each direction.
- Castlereagh Highway: Closed in both directions between Bate Street and Nilma Road, Walgett; closed in both directions between Walgett and the Gwydir Highway.
- Kamilaroi Highway: Closed in both directions between Gunnedah and Breeza; closed in both directions between Bourke and Brewarrina; closed in both directions between Walgett and Brewarrina.
- Cobb Highway: Closed in both directions between Wilcannia and Booligal.
- Barrier Highway: Just one lane open one kilometre west of Cobar, stop/slow in place.