Over the past year or so, heavy rain and flooding has caused chaos in many parts of Australia, with major roads closed and, in some cases, travellers left stranded.
With cyclones and storms again battering some Australian regions in recent days, it can definitely be an uphill battle trying to mitigate the damage caused by Mother Nature.
National park infrastructure is rebuilt, potholes are repaired, and everything is good again … until the next time!
But progress is also being made in finding longer term solutions. For example, works have recently begun on a flood-prone section of the Oodnadatta Track in South Australia’s far northwest to improve access after rain and help motorists avoid becoming stranded.
Flooding forced the closure of many roads in WA - and elsewhere - last year. PIC: Main Roads WA
Five major floodways will be reconstructed along an 80-kilometre section of unsealed road between the remote towns of Marla and Oodnadatta, with each floodway reinforced with cement and sealed to make it easier for vehicles to drive on when the track is wet.
Formation works will also take place to raise the surface level of the track in targeted areas, creating table drains which allow water to run off the road, enabling the Oodnadatta Track to remain open or be reopened sooner after rainfall.
Concrete walls and mesh Gabion baskets filled with stones will be constructed on both sides of the floodways to prevent floodwaters from eroding the track.
New signage will also be installed to give drivers more warning and longer preparation time, improving safety for road users.
South Australian Minister for Regional Roads Geoff Brock said it was critical that efforts were made to maintain and upgrade the key Outback road to ensure accessibility.
“Too many times we’ve seen road users become stranded along the track following intense rain and these works will help vehicles and caravans avoid becoming bogged in a remote location,” he said. “The upgrades will also save freight trucks from having to take a much longer route to their destination if the track is cut off.”
Mr Brock said improved floodways and better road conditions would give drivers the confidence to travel on the Oodnadatta Track when severe weather hits, but cautioned that it was ‘important to still plan ahead and make sure your vehicle is equipped with emergency supplies’.
Construction of the upgraded floodways and formation works are expected to be completed by mid-2024.
The entire track will remain open during construction, with speed and lane restrictions in place throughout the affected 80-kilometre section.
The $10.6 million project is funded by the Australian and South Australian governments with the Australian Government committing more than $8.7 million under the Roads to Recovery Program.
Are you a Grey Nomad member yet? Click here to find out about the discounts, competitions and other benefits on offer.
I think govt money would be better spent on the main highways & developmental roads that have a much heavier travel burden eg the Newell, Bruce, New England etc.
I assume that people with an iPhone 14 or later realise they have emergency satellite communications. Text only in Aust but better than nothing
If councils did their road maintenance during the year when no rain is expected, then water damage would be reduced. How many times have you and I seen drains clogged up with leaves ns other impediments to water flow that cause roads to flood and consequently fail with traffic loads.