Heavy rain affects regions roads

LARGE storms and rain caused the closure of dozens of the region’s roads last week and road crews continue repair works to heavily potholed roads in the region.|

A Department of Transport spokesperson said major assessments are yet to be carried out at many of the regions worst damaged locations and this is unlikely to occur while inundation continues.

“We need warmer, drier weather to be able to deliver long-term repairs that will last – it is not practical to deliver major works like rebuilding when it’s wet as this weather drastically increases the risk of the works failing.

“Flood waters can damage not only road surfaces but major structures like bridges and safety barriers and smaller structures like culverts, signs, guideposts, and drainage.

“It can also impact retaining wall structures and in steep terrain potentially cause landslips…along with repairing our roads, expert structural engineers will also assess bridges for stability and safety.

“In some cases, we will require divers to check what is happening underneath the water.”

A landslide near Separation Creek closed one lane of the Great Ocean Road last Thursday afternoon and another in Lorne North also threatened to spill over the coastal road.

There were also closures between Point Lonsdale and Portarlington, including the Queenscliff Road.

The Surf Coast Council reported over 20 roads throughout the Shire had to be either closed or have warning sings put in place alerting people to water over the road.

“Over the past week, flooding and extreme rainfall has forced the closure of a number of roads across the south-west, including along the Hamilton Highway at Hexham, Inverleigh and Cressy, and roads near Birregurra and Winchelsea,” the Department of Transport’s regional director Michael Tudball said.

“Our crews are working hard to clear flood affected roads and make emergency repairs to get them open as quickly as possible.

“We will never compromise on safety and that is why we can’t open roads and bridges until we’ve inspected them.”

Community members who come across damage on roads are encouraged to report them by calling the dedicated Regional Roads Victoria line on 133 778.

All current road closures are listed at traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au