A SINKHOLE caused by a collapsed mineshaft has closed the Great Alpine Road in both directions between Harrietville and Dargo High Plains Road and the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) anticipates it won’t reopen until early December.

The DTP suggested motorists should plan ahead and allow plenty of extra time for their journey with Mt Hotham and Dinner Plain still accessible via Omeo or Dargo.

“Crews are out right now delivering works to ensure we can re-open the road as soon as safely possible,” a DTP spokesperson said.

Mount Hotham Chamber of Commerce president Steve Belli said a cyclist discovered the hole in the road on Saturday morning.

“It wasn’t overly impressive in size then but emergency services were called and found a mine adit had dropped and there was a significant hole underneath the road,” he said.

“The road was closed and the DTP began work immediately on Sunday so with a bit of luck it should be done by early December.

“All businesses are still running, places are still open, it’s just a real pain you can’t get up there from Harrietville.

“We’re just waiting for a positive outcome, everyone mobilised quickly which was great and it looks like it can be resolved in a timely manner.

“We’re hopeful it won’t impact Christmas traffic and business, it’s just a big inconvenience at this point.”

Real-time traffic conditions are available at traffic.transport.vic.gov.au.

The latest public transport information and network status is available at ptv.vic.gov.au or in the PTV mobile app.