To complete roadworks properly, we need warm, dry conditions, or the repairs simply won't work. The materials we use when building roads are susceptible to water.
In winter the ground temperatures are too cold, and conditions are too damp. When it’s too damp, we can’t compact the road properly and any repairs won’t last.
The summer months are the busiest time for roadworks on the roads because they’re warmer and drier – they’re the perfect conditions to get good results.
We plan around holidays and community events to minimise any disruption to people's journeys during those very busy periods.
There's a reason why you see them more potholes over winter, and why they sometimes come back.
When water gets into the road pavement, it can weaken the whole structure.
Over winter, our crews make temporary repairs to potholes as it's too cold and wet for permanent repairs to work. Permanent repairs are then undertaken in late spring, summer and autumn, when it's warm and dry.
As roads are used, they weaken over time, so we regularly restrengthen the roads on the state highway network.
But not all work can be completed in one go. When restrengthening work is finished, it’s waterproofed with a layer of bitumen and chipseal, which takes about 12 months to settle.
A second coating of bitumen and chipseal is applied the following year to reinforce the pavement and protect the road. That’s why you’ll often see crews returning to “old” roadworks a year later.
