Road repair crews busy after recent heavy rains

Published: 03 Dec 2021 9:42am

Wagga Wagga City Council is asking motorists to take extra care on our roads as patching crews work to fill the potholes resulting from recent heavy rains.

The city experienced another significant rain event at the end of last week which saw more than 100 millimetres fall over two days (25-26 November).

Director Infrastructure Services Warren Faulkner said this event and the wetter than usual winter and spring have had a significant impact on the integrity of the sealed road network.

“We acknowledge that the potholes are out there in big numbers, and in response we have had the machinery out there since last Saturday, working on a seven-day basis to patch up the damage,” Mr Faulkner said.

"Our initial focus has been on the main sub arterial roads which are generally the most affected as they are carrying high volumes of traffic, in particular heavy vehicles.

"This has included Lake Albert and Kooringal roads, Dobney Avenue, Pearson Street, Boorooma Street, Pine Gully Road and Old Narrandera Road, Copland Street, Vincent Road, Mitchell Road, Inglewood and Gregadoo roads, Red Hill Road, and Bourke Street.

“Once that has been completed, we will shift our attention to patrolling other sections of the network and responding to customer feedback about the location of potholes and pavement damage.”

The Wagga Wagga LGA has 1,200 km of sealed and 1,100 km of unsealed roads to maintain.

Roads are generally designed for a 20-year life and then should be renewed.

Mr Faulkner said while Council should be carrying out more bitumen reseals and crack sealing, funding and the weather have been an issue.

“We do receive a lot of grant funding from the NSW and Federal governments through programs such as Fixing Country Roads, Fixing Local Roads, Roads to Recovery and Regional Roads grants,” Mr Faulkner said.

“However, it still falls short of what’s required to address the backlog in maintenance and renewal, while the weather presents its own risks and challenges to how we do the roadworks.

“It’s driving innovation, putting the focus on different construction methodology to enable the work to be carried out over a shorter period to reduce the risk of the road base getting saturated.”

Community members can report pothole damage to Council through the Snap Send Solve app on their smart phone, through Council’s website at wagga.nsw.gov.au/servicerequests or by lodging a report through Customer Service at the Civic Centre or by calling 1300 292 442.