DELIVERED
David Johnstone and Sarn Murray’s tire was damaged Wednesday morning when it hit a pothole just north of the Hampton Downs circuit.
An expensive and potentially dangerous collision with a pothole leaves a Hamilton couple questioning the quality of one of the country’s supposedly major roads.
The journey from Hamilton to Auckland was an unexpected and frustrating bump for Sarn Murray and David Johnstone.
The couple were driving their Lexus on the 70-mph-marked Waikato Expressway, about 6 miles north of the Hampton Downs racetrack, when they crossed a pothole before 8 a.m. Wednesday.
“We did about 110km so I’m not sure [how big it was] but if a motorbike hit it, they would probably come off.
“It flattens my warehouse, so obviously it’s a pretty big hole,” Johnstone said.
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Johnstone said it’s pretty frustrating.
“Especially because I suspect they did a road survey as it just opened at 110km.”
He said some sort of compensation from Waka Kotahi would be ideal.
“I just drove the car, I did the speed limit, I didn’t do anything wrong, and it’s meant to be a new road, so I wasn’t expecting that.”
As the couple drove by, they saw someone else on the side of the road change a tire and assumed they’d gone through the pothole for them too.
They have contacted Waka Kotahi.
A Hamilton tire repair company, which would not be named, said three or four people had contacted them in the past week for repairs after hitting a pothole while traveling between Hamilton and Auckland.
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The road north of Hampton Downs had a large pothole on Wednesday morning that damaged the tire of the David Johnstone.
Waka Kotahi Auckland systems manager Paul Geck said they were aware of the pothole and it was scheduled for repair on Wednesday.
”Colors are more common in the wetter winter months. Our crews are working around the clock to repair damage to the network from the recent storm. We hope the rain will clear up so we can make more effective repairs.”
Temporary repairs are made in the winter, followed by permanent repairs in the summer.
He said drivers are expected to drive according to local conditions and recognize that conditions may vary along a section of road.
“Drivers are also expected to have insurance for their vehicles in the event of any damage that may occur on the road, and their insurer should be their first point of contact for any damage. Therefore, Waka Kotahi is normally not responsible for any damage that may occur to a vehicle while driving on a state highway.”
If motorists allege that road conditions caused damage to a vehicle, Waka Kotahi will investigate whether there is an exceptional circumstance that could lead to further obligations.
In fiscal year 2020/2021, Waka Kotahi repaired approximately 99,5,000 potholes on state highways.
Motorists are urged to call 0800 44 44 49 if they notice potholes or other problems during heavy rain.