DM ROADS LEADS FLOOD RECOVERY REPAIRS IN THE NORTH OF SA WRITTEN BY ANTHONY O'BRIEN
FLOODWATERS BLANKET THE STUART HIGHWAY NEAR GLENDAMBO MAKING IT IMPASSABLE TO ALL TRAFFIC
The successive La Niña events spanning the end of 2021 and the start of 2022 were associated with record rainfall over much of Australia and some of the most extensive floods in living memory, with the northern part of South Australia severely impacted in late January. The flood damage to roads and infrastructure was widespread and created the need for a rapid response from DM Roads, Downer's Road network management and maintenance business in Australia. As the incumbent maintenance contractor for the state-owned roads in the regional north network, DM Roads is the Department for Infrastructure and Transport's (DIT’s) first point of contact when repairing road infrastructure ravaged by floods.
THE IMPACT OF FLOODING ON ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE The extensive flooding caused damage ranging from shoulder scours and blocked drains while entire road portions were washed away. At one location between Pimba and Woomera, floods washed away a significant pipe culvert
drain, and temporary backfill enabled the road to reopen quickly. In other places, significant water over the road meant that these thoroughfares had to be closed for a period. The worst location was at Glendambo on the Stuart Highway, which closed for around two weeks before water levels were low enough to drive through. According to Geoffrey Dodd, Maintenance Manager – North, DM Roads, it was too dangerous to have this significant road open with the water level so high at this location.
effort. "We have built a close relationship with the Department’s technical team on the ground, who have been very responsive to our recommendations," Dodd said. Once the floodwaters finally receded, DM Roads could repair damaged road sections around the Glendambo area before its reopening. DM Roads is involved with all sealed road repairs in the north and west of the state.
This decision had flow-on impacts on DM Road's ability to deliver road repairs and to the communities who rely on this road. The Eyre Highway west of Kimba was also significantly impacted by flood waters.
RAPID RESPONSE AND TEAMWORK REQUIRED DM Roads' initial response was immediate, with repairs commencing within 24-48 hours of damage reports. Dodd said, "Initially, our team was putting in 12-14 hour working days, including over weekends, to respond to initial callouts and to get the roads open where possible. "Early on, we received a lot of communication directly from the Department's Traffic Management Centre, alerting us to flood-damaged locations. Good communication between all of the operational recovery team – the Department and the contractors – was critical, so regular meetings were held daily initially and then less frequently as the recovery effort went on to prioritise works and track progress."
THE DM RESPONSE TEAMS DM Roads had 2 teams of 5-6 person crews focused on flood recovery. These crews are based at DM's depots in Port Augusta and Port Lincoln. DM augmented its road repair resources by using subcontractors to assist when required. Bringing in subcontractors, however, was also a challenge, with many local industry providers already
DM Roads also worked closely with the outback roads maintenance contractor, SA Roads Services, to support a coordinated approach to the recovery 16
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