In April, the northbound lane and on-ramps near Safety Bay Road were resurfaced, but in recent weeks, the new bitumen surface has become dangerously brittle along a 100-200m stretch of the busy road, prompting Main Roads to temporarily reduce the speed limit to 60km/h until maintenance work is completed.
A spokesman for the authority said it had received a number of complaints about the damaged road surface. The Courier also received several complaints from motorists.
The spokesman said that after the area was inspected, speed restrictions were put in place.
‘The cause of the damage is unknown at this stage, although cold weather may have affected the strength of the pavement,’ he said.
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READ NOW‘A detailed examination of all information will be required to determine the long-term solution.’ The spokesman said the recent works involved the ‘addition of geo-textile reinforced steel’ to strengthen the road.
‘Initial repair work will be done to rectify the loss of stone and repair damaged sections and it is intended that this will enable re-opening of the full speed limit,’ he said.
Repairs are expected to be complete within weeks while longer-term repairs will be put off until summer.