Browse > Home / News / Roads melt in sweltering heat

Roads melt in sweltering heat

Posted on November 12, 2009, 3:03pm and updated on November 13, 2009 at 8:46 am

This week’s sweltering heat has caused some bitumen roads in Mount Gambier to reach melting point.

Mount Gambier Council operational services director Daryl Sexton said he found the state of the intersection at Caroline Main and Vorwerk Roads near the saleyards in particular bad shape due to the heat, but the problem was also common on other roads.

“The bitumen is very soft at the intersection, the gravel is loose and there’s a strong bitumen smell in the air,” he said, adding that the many heavy vehicles using the intersection worsen the condition of the road.

“We also get complaints from residents who live in cul-de-sacs where vehicles turn and leave tar on their driveways, or about intersections where the bitumen is softened in the heat and then worn out easily by turning vehicles.”

But Mr Sexton said not much could be done to prevent “bleeding” or “melting”, except to run stones into the soft bitumen.

“It was not a common problem years ago, but the depletion of natural resources such as oil has led to the manufacturing of more inferior products,” he said.

“I don’t think it is due to workmanship.

“It takes about two years for fresh bitumen to harden up, and when it gets really hot, it makes things worse.”

Meanwhile, Mount Gambier residents have sweltered through their hottest November heat spell on record.

In unprecedented weather since records first began, Mount Gambier has recorded five days in a row over 30 degrees.

And according to the Bureau of Meteorology, residents will have to endure at least another three days of 30-plus degree days.

The mercury is expected to soar to 34 degrees on Friday, 33 on Saturday and 31 on Sunday.

But residents today welcomed a cooler day, with the maximum temperature just nudging above 30 degrees at 4pm.

Mount Gambier Aquatic Centre manager Peter Collins said the centre has seen record attendances for November.

“The hot weather has certainly been a boom for us,” Mr Collins said.

He said the number of lap swimmers had risen dramatically as well as the number of kids attending before and after school.

Mr Collins said the pool had been attracting up to 150 kids after school since last Thursday.

“The weekend was also fantastic, we had 500 people here on Saturday,” he said.

“This is unheard of in November.”

Tags: , , ,  

Comments

3 Responses to “Roads melt in sweltering heat”

  1. Lynton Thompson on November 14th, 2009 8:18 am 1

    I can’t speak for the roads, but spare a thought for your local refrigeration mechanics. The hotter it gets, the harder we work. This sort of weather brings out all of the inefficiencies and problems that refrigeration and airconditioning units may have. We ‚(the mechanics), have to deal with equipment that is often in cramped places, hot plantrooms and is sometimes skin-stickingly hot. Yes I know that’s not a word but being on a roof for 8 hours straight in this weather will tend to fry your brain.
    So please appreciate the humble fridge mechanic and maybe offer him a cold drink next time he comes around. Oh, and to those who freely give fluids to a bit overweight and unfit bloke who hates the heat.…. thank you from the bottom of my heart.

  2. Ebony Jackson on November 14th, 2009 6:38 pm 2

    The unreasonable people who expect mechanics to be up on their roof for 8 hours in extreme heat, have to be the meanest people wasting space on the planet.

    If my fridge blows up, or the power dies … a cold shower is my best offer Lynton … plus I have loads of deodorant spray to kill extreme BO, tinea spray, baby powder, feminine hygiene stuff, and panadol, but I am fresh out of men’s razor blades.

  3. TC on November 14th, 2009 9:59 pm 3

    G’day Lynton,

    Being a bit overweight and a little unfit myself, I do feel for you, but spare a thought for a fellow sparky who usually calls Yahl home, but is currently doing a 12 hour day 3 weeks on rotation at a new mine site 200 k’s North West of Ceduna. While there is no official recording equipment on site, the considered opinion is Ceduna + a few (it was around 44 in Ceduna today and has not been under 40 since Sunday), the “in the open temp” is around 48 –50 from midday to knock-off and its a long sleeve shirt and trousers site. Adding to the atmosphere is the fly population, which is so huge that a well aimed swat will yield 40 to 50 casualties (I kid you not!). The good news is that next Friday its forecast to only reach 30, we will definitely be looking for our thermals when that happens!

    PS Say Gday to Clayton and Marty.

    TC

Posting of new comments is currently disabled.