Visitors travelling south to the Garrawarra aged-care facility on the Old Princes Highway will have an extra 10 kilometres added to their journey for the next six weeks.
The detour is necessary because the southbound exit to the Old Princes Highway – just south of Waterfall – will be closed for repair work on the bridge crossing over the northbound lanes of the F6.
This will mean drivers from the north will have to take the Helensburgh exit to get on to the Old Princes Highway and drive back to the aged-care facility – a trip of 10 kilometres instead of the usual three kilometres.
An RMS spokesman said the repair work to the bridge, which started on Monday, was essential to keep it in good condition for all road users.
‘‘The exit will be closed for 24 hours a day while work is carried out and a clearly signposted detour will be in place,’’ he said.
‘‘Southbound motorists wanting to access the Old Princes Highway can use the Helensburgh exit from the F6 Southern Freeway. There will be no change for northbound motorists wanting to access the Old Princes Highway.’’
The spokesman said the exit would be reopened to traffic and emergency vehicles in the case of a major accident.
Northbound motorists will also be affected. Today, the left lane of the F6 northbound under the bridge will be closed and a reduced roadwork speed limit of 60km/h will be in place.
‘‘For the remainder of the work, the left road shoulder northbound on the F6 Southern Freeway under the bridge will be closed and a reduced roadwork speed limit of 80km/h will be in place,’’ the spokesman said.
Electronic messages would warn of traffic conditions and highlight detours.
‘‘Electronic message signs will provide motorists with advanced warning of the changes to traffic conditions and highlight detours,’’ the spokesman said.