Last month, the embankment gave way while Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) staff were using a backhoe to carry out road-widening works, about 9km south of Woolbrook.

While no one was hurt in the incident, the collapse forced council to close the road indefinitely. 

TRC road infrastructure staff are using 1200mm diameter concrete pipes to create new temporary crossings off Jamiesons Creek.

The first of the two pipes was installed earlier this week.

Provided weather conditions remain favourable, it’s expected the second crossing of Jamiesons Creek will be completed by the end of next week.

Tamworth Regional Council project engineer Claire Turnor said work was able to start on the new crossings on Monday after the Department of Primary Industries and NSW Fisheries issued a permit allowing the work to go ahead.

“The permit allows the road to be realigned and two temporary creek crossings installed using 1200mm diameter concrete pipes,” Ms Turnor said.

“The two temporary crossings provide the necessary width to allow heavy vehicle access via Woolbrook.

“While no property in the area has been cut off since the road slip, due to the additional length of the trip, the alternative access via Limbri is not ideal.”

The two temporary crossings with be replaced with permanent culvert crossings.

Council told The Leader work on the permanent replacements was planned to take place within the next 12 months.

A second fisheries permit will need to be obtained for these works to be undertaken. 

The current permit stipulates that construction work can only be carried out while the creek has a low flow.

This week, the rainfall in the catchment area has been minimal with its flow remaining relatively low.