Can someone from NZTA or the roading industry explain why it is that as soon as there is more than one day of warm — not hot, but warm — weather our roads turn into rivers of melting tar?
State Highway 2 at Morere is a prime example where the road has become a river of bleeding tar, causing huge issues for trucks; resulting in the road being blocked at times as trucks become stranded.
In the past we have heard that this is a result of the solvents used in the tar evaporating off. Is it a case of the tar being “watered down” too much, or a sub-standard tar being used?
You would think that the tar being used would be appropriate to the traffic and climatic conditions of the road, but perhaps that is too sensible . . .
Can’t wait to see the tar-splattered vehicles rolling in to Gisborne for RnV, sure it will be a good advertisement for the area!
Michael Arnaboldi
Footnote from Ed: We put this letter to NZTA/Waka Kotahi along with similar concerns being raised by others. A response from them is in a story on page 3 of today’s paper.
