Collapse closes Woy Woy Rd

Woy Woy Rd was closed between Kariong and Woy Woy last Thursday night after a section of the road collapsed.

A section of the roadway shortly downhill from Horsfield Rd at Horsfield Bay, was closed after a section became unstable and subsided following heavy rain in the area.

Detours were put in place, and police advised motorists to delay their travel or to use the Central Coast Highway as an alternative route.

Police stated that the affected section of Woy Woy Rd was expected to remain closed until at least Monday while repairs were undertaken.

Local activist Edward James managed to take several photographs of the collapsed section of road.

"My photographs show a substantial section of concrete beneath the road surface, which is about 300mm thick, has broken and collapsed down the hill side, taking a section of the almost brand new road works surface about one metre by five metres along with it," Mr James said.

"Several steel post hang into the void above the collapse.

"It is very obvious that storm water has played a big part in the undermining of the road.

"But the obvious question still must be asked: Did the recent work and resurfacing, evident amongst the wreckage in the photographs, hasten the collapse of the road?

"Certainly, it looks strange that the section of road where the railing has been replaced is the same section which has collapsed.

"I also noticed a similar type of liner cracking to that on Pearl Beach Dr, which I and many others have complained to Gosford Council about often in recent years."

Road closure signs were still visible outside the old abbatoir on Woy Woy Rd on Friday morning.

Police were seen blocking the Kariong entrance to Woy Woy Rd on Thursday night.

Motorists reported traffic being backed up from the bottom of Woy Woy Rd, Woy Woy, to the bottom of Kariong Hill, West Gosford.

The collapse occurred before 5pm on Thursday.

Press release, 24 Apr 2008 NSW Police Media Press release, 25 Apr 2008 Edward James