Huge potholes on Tasmania’s Midlands Highway just north of Symmon Plains resulted in three cars blowing tyres and another damaging a rim.
A Good Samaritan truckie stopped to help the stricken motorists and sent us these pics to show just how dangerous the road in that section had become.
“These were very big holes and these people in the cars were either well dressed or had no idea how to do it,” he said.
The truckie said the government has spent a lot of money fixing up the Midlands Highway, which runs 190km between Launceston and Hobart.
“They tell us there is just 50km left to repair and these potholes look to be on a section that was upgraded about four or five years ago,” he said.
He said these potholes proved very dangerous for any vehicle which hit them at speed.
“Tyres are not cheap either and with fuel prices rising we need to save every cent we can,” he said.
The recent Midlands Highway incidents follows truck drivers complaining about the Lyell Highway between Hobart and Strahan breaking up in places.
To show just how dangerous some stretches have become, one truckie sent us this shot below of one section cordoned off by witches hats near a dip in the road that obscures oncoming traffic.
A spokesperson told Big Rigs that the Department of State Growth understands the impact of potholes on the travelling public and the freight industry, and it places a high priority on maintaining the condition of this critical highway.
“Heavy rain over the past week has caused potholes and other issues along many parts of the Midland Highway, and other roads on the State road network. Wet weather can take a heavy toll on the road surface,” the spokesperson said.
“The department’s contractors were at work on the Midland Highway, north of Epping Forest, on Sunday October 24 to complete temporary repairs on potholes, between 11am and 4pm.”
The contractors were also on site the next day to complete more repairs on potholes that had developed over the weekend, the spokesperson added.
“These temporary works will make the road safe until more longer-term repairs can be completed. A number of sections on the Midland Highway have been prioritised for resurfacing this summer.”
The spokesperson also said that the public can help by reporting any problems they see to the 24/7 hotline: 1300 139 933. All reports are logged and prioritised for repair.
“If a member of the public calls about a current or potential road safety hazard, the contractor will immediately be called to attend the location and make it safe, until longer-term works can be completed.
“In circumstances where there are a number of issues across the road network, such as over the past weekend, making the road safe may include the placement of warning signage, to provide advanced warning of a potential hazard until the crews have finished their current job and are able to complete emergency repairs.”
Update: This story was updated with comment from the Department of State Growth at 2.15pm, October 26.