Minister for Roads and Freight Duncan Gay said there had been more than 80cm of water over some sections of the highway at the peak of the floods. 

His office said there would still be some speed restrictions and short delays on the most impacted sections while the condition of the road is monitored.

“Crews have worked around the clock to ensure repairs could be carried out as quickly as possible, the highway will continue to be monitored for any damage and repaired as required,” a spokesperson said.

Forbes Business Chamber president Chris Roylance described the impact of the road’s closure on businesses in Forbes and neighbouring communities as “dramatic”.

“Caravan parks have been empty, the motels, and food places along the road,” Mr Roylance said. “The service stations have seen a huge drop in business.”

But does this have to continue to happen in every major flood? Forbes Mayor Graeme Miller hopes not. 

Mayor Miller said Forbes Shire Council would support the Newell Highway Taskforce’s submission to the Federal Government in regards to flood proofing the Newell Highway between Forbes and West Wyalong. 

“The Newell Highway is a crucial road network and flood proofing it will mean this long closure won’t happen again during a future major flood event,” he said.  

“We have not had the visitors due to the normal traffic flow and some members of our business community have had difficulty in receiving materials as the delivery has been bypassing Forbes in some circumstances,” he said.

Chair of the Newell Highway Promotions Committee Jeff Stien said the businesses and communities on the flood-affected Newell had seen a major economic impact with traffic being diverted around flooding.

He sent photographs of traffic diversion signs in Victoria advising motorists to use the Hume instead of the Newell due to the flooding. 

Mr Stien is based in West Wyalong and said about 2000 vehicles a day travel the highway there.

The highway also closed at Marsden in flooding in 1950, 1952, 1956, 1962, 1974, 1983, 1990, 2012.

The NSW Government has promised to invest $1 million to investigate options to improve flood resistance at Tichborne, keeping the road to Parkes open during heavy rain and flash flooding events.

Mr Gay said he had met with many community members and knew the impact the Newell Highway closure had had on a wide variety of businesses.