WAGGA’S pothole-plagued roads have come under fire as “the worst in Australia” amid fears the wet and wild winter will tear apart the “cheap, frail bitumen”.
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It comes after a number of Uraquinty commuters warned The Daily Advertiser of dangerous potholes forming at the foot of the newly developed Kapooka Bridge.
Infuriated motorist Garry Gurtner said his steering wheel was “nearly torn from his hand” Friday morning by a crater-like hole in the road.
“You can drive anywhere in Australia, when you hit the outskirts of Wagga you see the worst roads anywhere in Australia,” he said.
“One I hit in the morning nearly ripped the wheel from my hand and caused me a serious accident.
“Council can't put a proper road down, no proper substrate, they do everything on the cheap.
“It’s a handbrake on business.”
And residents have been put on high alert after this week’s torrential downpour, which could see a number of fresh potholes open up on the city’s roads.
The condition of the city’s road network entered the spotlight earlier this year when a disgruntled driver revealed he had a pothole complaint go unresolved for more than six months.
The community has forwarded 56 requests to council for pothole repairs since May, when the wet weather set.
A Wagga City Council spokesman said it plans to have roads repaired as soon as possible.
“Council’s aim is to fix potholes sooner rather than later, so we thank the community for taking this proactive approach,” a spokesperson said.
“With a road network of 2300km it’s impossible for Council to know exactly where a pothole is at any given time, so it’s great when the community can help by being the eyes on the ground.
“Additional Council crews have been out and about on Wagga roads patching potholes in recent weeks.”
Potholes can be formed when moisture works its way into the road surface or when the subgrade of the road becomes saturated. Residents can report a pothole by phoning 1300 292 442.
