Tree removal works that had been projected to last until December, finished up earlier in October.

In early 2021 400 high-risk trees were identified in the Clyde Mountain Pass section of the highway.

They had been damaged in the the 2019/20 bushfires and storms and flooding had caused the trees to become significantly less stable, posing a safety risk to travellers and workers.

Parts of the highway were closed for work from the end of August, between River Forest Road to Misty Mountain Road Tuesday to Thursday 8am to 3pm.

Originally planned to be a more extensive closure, the NSW Government readjusted after local businesses decried the impact closures would have.

"With lockdowns, we've effectively got closure from the north and closure from the south. Why the hell would they want to go through the process of closing the major highway that's the only thing bringing business to us at the moment?" South Durras Big 4 Holiday Park owner Ken Buckley said in August.

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It means businesses will be able to welcome back interstate travellers, after the ACT's border bubble was expanded to include a wider range of NSW suburbs bordering the territory.

From November, NSW and ACT travellers will be able to move more freely around the regions.

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