Up to 30 vehicles suffer tyre damage due to freeway pothole 'carnage'

Up to 30 vehicles experienced tyre damage on the Princes Freeway in Bunyip due to potholes, according to initial reports. The recent rainfall, as recorded by the Bureau of Meteorology, amounted to approximately 15 millimetres in the area since last night. Both the Victorian government and opposition have placed pothole repair at the forefront of their election platforms.

A significant number of vehicles were forced off the road due to significant potholes along the Princes Freeway near Bunyip in Victoria's eastern region. The Victorian Transport Department issued warnings about potential Melbourne-bound delays on the freeway prior to the affected area near Hope Street. Garry, who was traversing the region, described the situation as "carnage," with more than two dozen cars damaged.

For approximately 15 kilometers following the affected section, numerous cars were pulled over with damaged rims. The shock was evident as drivers approached, with one expressing the view that a major accident had occurred. Admiral Towing operator David Gridley confirmed that at least 30 vehicles suffered flat or blown tyres, attributing the issue to poorly maintained roads.

Gridley noted that the problem is recurring, with similar incidents having occurred previously. The Transport Department cautioned that the roads were not being repaired adequately, as patch jobs were failing in adverse weather conditions. By 10 am, the majority of the affected vehicles had either been repaired or towed away. Nearby Warragul experienced a similar issue, with the Bureau of Meteorology reporting about 15 millimetres of rain since last night.

In November, over 20 cars were damaged when they struck a large pothole on the Princes Freeway in Nar Nar Goon. Potholes have emerged as a critical political concern in Victoria, with the government pledging $1 billion for repairs in its current budget, while the opposition has proposed $5 billion for road repairs and rebuilding if elected in the upcoming November state election.