A clearly marked detour has been in place via Lang Drive since the road was closed on Thursday.

A Maitland City Council spokesman said nearby residents had been advised of the closure in writing four weeks ago.

Council is completing heavy patching of rutted and potholed areas on Tocal Road between Paterson and Maitland Vale roads.

The road is being resealed and new asphalt overlayed between Paterson Road and the end of the gutter north of Moore Road, at a cost of $450,000.

The speed limit between Lang Drive and Belmore Road in Lorn is also under review.

Council’s 12-month plan for the stretch of road includes a review of bus stop locations and infrastructure requirements, an investigation of the need for parking restrictions and a design and cost estimate for asphalt overlay and improved drainage between Moore and Maitland Vale roads.

The state government recently shortlisted Maitland for a share in $37.5 million as part of the Fixing Country Roads Program.

Council has applied for $2 million for extra work on Tocal Road, beyond the work that it committed to earlier this year.

In a traffic study conducted between April and August, council found 30 per cent more heavy vehicles used Tocal Road in 2014, compared to 2011.