COUNCIL has increased pothole patching crews across Port Stephens in response to ongoing wet weather.
While permanent road network improvements remain the priority for Council and the community, Mayor Leah Anderson said recent heavy rainfall has forced a temporary shift towards critical pothole patching and driver safety.
“After a month or more of rain, potholes are worsening across many parts of Port Stephens and with more wet weather on the way, we’ve prioritised pothole patching and are sending out more crews,” Mayor Anderson said.
“Potholes can develop at any time due to normal wear and tear or underlying road surface faults, but rainfall is often the main culprit.
“When it rains, water seeps into small cracks in the road surface, weakening the layers underneath.
“Over time, this leads to the potholes we see on the road surface, and with more rain and passing vehicles, the damage gets worse and the pothole even bigger.”
Mayor Anderson said crews were prioritising Port Stephens’ busiest, high speed roads first.
Potholes and road damage can be reported by the community via pscouncil.info/report-a-pothole.
“If you see a pothole or road damage let Council know by using our Report, Request and Apply tool on Council’s website,” Mayor Anderson said.
You can find the latest road closure and service closure information by visiting livetraffic.com and downloading emergency warning apps like Hazards Near Me, Bureau of Meteorology and Emergency Plus.
