General News
21 February, 2023
New roads continue to crumble
ROADS continue to deteriorate across the shire.
ROADS continue to deteriorate across the shire.
Significant sections of works which were only completed six months ago have already been reduced to 60 kilometres – and in some cases, just 40 kilometres.
Roads with issues locally include Timboon-Nullawarre Road, Lavers-Hill Cobden Road and Cobden-Port Campbell Road, all of which were completed last year.
In response to a series of questions from the Cobden Timboon Coast Times questioning why the works had deteriorated Department of Transport and Planning acting regional director (Barwon South West) Aj Armstrong said the department was working with contractors.
“We’re working with our contractors to inspect our roads regularly and rectify any damage that has been caused by weather and geotechnical faults,” he said.
“Our crews are finalising plans to seal various roads in the south west including Timboon-Nullawarre Road, Lavers-Hill Cobden Road and Cobden –Port Campbell Road.”
Road crews have reported complications with bleedings seals which were difficult to rectify quickly.
Rainfall during October has been listed as a major factor in the road breakdowns.
“We’re working to repair the damage to roads in the Cobden area caused by more than 200mm of heavy rainfall in October,” Mr Armstrong said.
“Our crews work to reconstruction specifications under a quality assurance program, and works are assessed during construction to ensure it meets with Victorian product specifications.”
Contractors have been actively topping up the defective areas with dry stone which has slowed the bleeding while a permanent solution can be found.
An emulsion grit was expected to be applied in the coming weeks which was believed would fix the defects until a final seal was applied.
During the sealing phase, a primer seal and final seal would be implemented.
Are you concerned about the condition of state managed roads in the area?
Send your thoughts to ctctimes@wdnews.com.au or Cobden Timboon Coast Times, 124 Manifold Street, Camperdown, VIC, 3260.