Furious drivers left with sticky tyres from 'melted' Queensland motorway
Furious motorists have been left with sticky tyres and costly repair bills after driving along a stretch of ‘melted’ highway.
A 2.4 kilometre section of the Bruce Highway, located at Waverley Creek between Rockhampton and Mackay in Queensland, failed to set after being resealed on Monday.
As the drivers travelled along the road, a sticky pool of liquid tar coated their tyres, while the road was also strewn with rubble.
The company responsible says winter weather stopped the bitumen from setting.
“Unfortunately, the cold snap came in pretty nasty this morning and stripped a few stones off the road,” Rock and Road Bitumen manager David Wallman told 7 News.
Some motorists also reported that steering was locking up due to loose rocks becoming lodged in their vehicles, The Daily Mercury reports.
“There were chunks flying everywhere,” one truck driver said.
Stones that weren’t wedged in tyres went flying, causing windscreens to crack.
Infuriated truck drivers took to Facebook to air their complaints.
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“We pay big dollars for the privilege of driving on such crap. Absolute disgrace,” posted one truck driver.
“Send the bill to Main Roads,” posted another.
On Wednesday afternoon the Department of Transport and Main Roads responded to complaints.
“We are investigating issues with failed resealing works,” the Department said. “Motorists should avoid the area if possible.”
The Department said that drivers who have experienced vehicle damage from the bitumen bungle can make a claim for compensation.
This follows a similar incident in July, when motorists were left stranded in far north Queensland, after freshly laid bitumen turned into a tar trap.
Over 60 motorists were affected by that incident and many needed to get their tyres replaced after bitumen lifted on the Millaa Millaa-Malanda Road on the Atherton Tablelands.
