All grey nomads travelling Australia have had to get used to the idea that many roads – particularly those in the country – are going to have the odd pothole or two … or more.
However, some stretches of bitumen are worse than others … sometimes much, much worse.
Recent travellers on the Palmerston Highway near Millaa Millaa on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland have apparently been appalled by the state of the road.
The Cairns Post reports that unsuspecting cars are regularly swerving at the last minute to miss dangerously large and deep potholes. The paper says that ‘Rough Surface’ signs do not seem to be enough to make motorists fully aware of the extent of the danger.
Reports have been received of two or more tyres blowing at once, rims buckling and more serious damage to vehicles.
The road from Millaa Millaa to Malanda is dotted with potholes, but by far the worst stretch is reportedly between The Falls Teahouse and Millaa Millaa turn-off.
Owner of The Falls Teahouse, John Carr, told the Cairns Post that virtually every traveller coming into the cafe had complained about the condition of the road.
“In fact, the grey nomads are warning other travellers to avoid the road altogether,” he said. “This is bad for our business and the local economy.”
Mr Carr said the road had deteriorated especially badly in the past three weeks because of the ongoing rain.
“They are so large, you could just about throw a crab pot into them,” he said. “They are particularly dangerous at night when rain and fog are around.”
Mr Carr said the Palmerston Highway was a major road between the coast and the Tablelands, and should be to a standard that copes with heavy vehicles.
Tablelands Regional Mayor Joe Paronella confirmed that the council had received many complaints about the potholes near Millaa Millaa. However, he said the council could not patch potholes on main roads without an arrangement with Department of Transport and Mains Road.
Perhaps money could be saved by not displaying ‘Rough Surface’ signs but instead advising of ‘Smooth Surface For Next 100 Meters’
Queensland transport minister should take a drive through Western Australia, would learn a hell of a lot about road building.