A SECTION of the Riverina Highway, east of Albury, has fallen apart, just months after it was upgraded as part of an $11 million project.
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For it to be so substandard that it doesn’t even last 12 months is disturbing
- Councillor Murray King
Westbound drivers have had to slow from the usual 80km/h to 40km/h due to crumbly bitumen near Hawdon Lane, about a kilometre from Lake Hume Village.
The situation has not impressed Albury councillor Murray King.
“The road itself replaced one of the most dangerous roads in Australia, so for it to be so substandard that it doesn’t even last 12 months is disturbing,” Cr King said.
“Admittedly we had rain but surely these type of events need to be planned for and allowed for; build it stronger, build it to withstand floods.”
After being contacted by The Border Mail, Roads and Maritime Services crews were seen at the site, but a spokeswoman said it was not expected it to be fixed until next week.
“Work will start next week to remove damaged sections of road on the Riverina Highway caused by recent wet weather,” she said.
“This will include removing and replacing the road surface and drainage work.”
The RMS declined to say how much the repairs would cost, but noted they would be funded from its budget for routine maintenance.
The member for Albury Greg Aplin was disappointed at the failing, but noted the road, completed in March, had faced significant rain and traffic with motorists travelling to see Lake Hume’s gates open in recent weeks.
“This is an issue that comes with rain, you would have seen up at Tumbarumba there has been a landslip there at the Alpine Way and unfortunately this occurs as a result of water flowing underground,” Mr Aplin said.
“You’re never quite sure, as to where that’s going to erode the base.
“I can only speculate as to that being the cause here.”
Meanwhile, the second stage of the $11 million Riverina Highway upgrade, following work from Sandy Creek to Lake Hume Village, will begin on Monday with a workers’ compound to be set-up.
The latest phase will cover the highway’s route from the village to Bethanga Bridge.
Mr Aplin said it was expected to be completed by the middle of next year with breaks to coincide with major holiday periods.
“They will be taking account, as they did last time, of the community holiday periods, Christmas and Easter next year, so there will be a break in works to minimise the disruption,” he said.
The Liberal MLA has previously said 170 jobs would be created over the length of the project for the highway which averages 1800 vehicles per day.
