After many months of heavy rain in much of the country, the state of many roads is appalling and motorists are being warned ‘if you think it’s bad now, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet!’
In Queensland, the ABC reports that about two-thirds of state roads are closed or restricted, including almost 5,000 kilometres affected by more than one weather event. However, a shortage of material and labour along with the sheer scale of the damage reportedly means it could be years before some roads are fixed.
Now, with harvest season moving into top gear, there are fears that things are going to get a lot worse.
Queensland farmer, Anthea Green, told the ABC that the potholes near her property on the Western Downs had been enormous.
Potholes can be a real hazard for motorists. PIC: Cizza
“We get a lot of travellers going through who are unaware of water height levels and the depth of potholes,” she said. “When we have a huge amount of grain trucks driving the road, the dust is blinding and the visibility is zero and all the potholes are still there … it’s dangerous.”
Agforce Grains president and farmer Brendan Taylor said the influx of B-double trucks and road trains added to the risk for motorists.
“We’re concerned that they’re going to totally break the road up into a condition worse than what it is,” he said.
A Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said nine natural disasters had affected Queensland roads during 2021-22, with 66 of 77 local government areas receiving financial relief measures.
“The damage assessment task is massive,” the spokesperson said. “Due to the widespread and severe nature of the damage, a significant program of reconstruction works will be required over the next two years.”
From Gin Gin to just north of Townsville on the Bruce Goat Track was absolutely abominable this year, so many potholes and side of the road crumbling in places.
Newell Highway between West Wyalong and Parkes in NSW is terrible, it contributed to teh end of my motorhome travels for quite some time, when slowing down gradually for a really large set of potholes I could see ahead of me, a B Double hit the ute behind me who then was pushed into the back of my motorhome, the roads need srious work done to them in many states.
From Canberra to Bathurst done two springs on the caravan thanks to the potholes.