Business owners in a Victorian alpine resort have been given a glimmer of hope as a landslide-covered road is set to open to single lane access a day earlier than expected.
Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV) has been removing debris since October after floods caused a landslide that isolated Falls Creek snow resort from its main tourist road and sister community Mount Beauty.
Despite heavy rains over the Easter long weekend, the road will open a single lane to all vehicles on Monday, with works on permanent, double-lane access likely to continue for the next 12 months.
"Despite challenging weather including a one in ten-year rain event, poor ground conditions and arduous haulage routes , our crews have worked tirelessly to prepare the road for restored access," MRPV said in a note to residents.
The single lane will stretch for about 300 metres along the landslip site, and authorities have asked drivers to allow an extra 15 minutes for travel between 8am and 4pm each day while works continue.
MRPV said traffic signals would prioritise traffic going up the mountain in the morning and traffic going down the mountain towards Mount Beauty in the evenings.
Business owners at Falls Creek have missed out on millions in trade after summer programs were cut due to the road blockage.
