A large pothole on the Princes Highway near Bunyip, approximately 81 kilometers southeast of Melbourne, caused significant disruption during the morning commute on Monday. At least 30 vehicles sustained damage, with many drivers forced to pull over to change flat tires or wait for tow trucks.
The hazard opened up on the major roadway, catching many motorists by surprise. May Mitchell, who was traveling to work, reported that her GPS navigation did not provide advance warning. "By the time Waze told us there was a pothole, we had already hit it," she stated, adding that she joined a line of approximately 20 other cars with damaged rims. Mitchell described the situation as dangerous, with traffic continuing at speed while drivers attempted to change tires in the rain.
Nearby automotive repair businesses experienced a surge in demand. A mechanic in Drouin reported being at full capacity by mid-morning. Fam Singh, a mechanic from the Drouin garage, mentioned that one of his staff members was dispatched to assist at the roadside.
David Gridley, an operator with Admiral Towing, noted that this is not the first time the area has experienced such issues. He explained that large potholes, often hidden by water, can cause substantial damage to tires. "The holes are that deep that they're just destroying the tyres," Gridley said, attributing the recurring problem to what he described as inadequate road repairs, with patches failing due to weather conditions.
State Liberal MP Wayne Farnham criticized the government's handling of road maintenance, stating, "They're not fixing them and my community's suffering because of it." He expressed frustration over the inability of drivers to expect safe travel to work without encountering tire damage.
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll acknowledged that poor road conditions are exacerbated by rain and heavy vehicle traffic. He announced the appointment of a civil engineer to the roads portfolio to address the issue. "We need to make sure we fix them [properly] and that is why I'm putting a civil engineer in the roads portfolio," Carroll said, indicating that nearly one billion dollars is allocated to road repair programs.