By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
METRO Trains is making no comment on liability for car-jolting potholes caused by a crash between a truck and a train at Webster Street level crossing, Dandenong, last month.
At a council meeting on Monday 13 July, Greater Dandenong councillor Jim Memeti said cars and tyres were at risk of damage from plunging into the 20-centimetre ditches created by the 19 June crash.
Train services were suspended for more than four hours but no-one was injured following the initial crash at the boom-gated crossing.
Cr Memeti said though the tracks were swiftly repaired, road potholes remained nearly a month later.
“You didn’t get a sighter of the potholes until you drove over them,” Cr Memeti said.
The potholes were filled with bitumen on 14 July.
“Why did it take them three weeks to fix it?” Cr Memeti said.
“If it wasn’t for (the council) telling them, it still wouldn’t be done.
“Even after the repairs, cars were still swerving because they think it hasn’t been repaired yet.”
Cr Memeti said the repairs themselves were sub-standard and the fresh bitumen has been compressed by traffic and created “big bulges” in the road surface.
On Friday Metro Trains spokeswoman Sammie Black said its investigations into infrastructure damage caused by the 19 June crash were ongoing.
She did not comment on questions of liability for the potholes.
“We regularly inspect the level crossing and carry out maintenance as required.
“We most recently completed maintenance works at the level crossing on 14 July.
“This weekend, we are carrying out further maintenance works at the crossing, which will include any re-asphalting as required.”
