Parts of busy Victorian highway melt as scorching summer heatwave hits
Soaring temperatures in Victoria on Friday caused part of a busy freeway to melt, creating long traffic delays as cars tried to avoid the gooey bitumen.
A 10-kilometre stretch of Hume Highway in Broadford, central Victoria, literally went into meltdown as temperatures surged into the 30s, with even hotter conditions predicted over the weekend.
On Friday Victoria Police tweeted a message warning motorists to avoid the right-hand lane of Hume Freeway city-bound due to the melting road.
Police are warning motorists to expect delays and to avoid the right-hand lane of the Hume Freeway (heading toward the city) near Broadford as there is a 10km stretch of road that is melting. pic.twitter.com/icI1hecmvn
— Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) January 5, 2018
Melted tar began peeling from the road and sticking to hot car tyres, leaving a streaky mess of bitumen behind.
Emergency services are preparing for more difficult conditions in both Victoria and New South Wales, with both states bracing for temperatures that could even go into the mid-40s.
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Victorian ambulance commander Paul Holman has described the conditions as "like a blast furnace" and potentially deadly.
A statewide fire ban is in place for Victoria on Saturday, while New South Wales is expected to swelter on Sunday.
