Roads crews will be carrying out patching work on dangerous potholes during the Grand Prix weekend.

A Victorian Department of Transport spokesperson was responding to concerns about road safety for motorcyclists on the Phillip Island Road and South Gippsland Hwy.

“Our crews are on site today (Friday) and this weekend during the Grand Prix to complete emergency patching work when the weather allows to ensure the road is safe,” the spokesperson told the Advertiser.

“In the lead up to major events at Phillip Island, extra crews inspect the roads to ensure any repair works that need to be undertaken can be completed as soon as possible.

“Periods of heavy rainfall like we currently experiencing with La Niña can cause greater damage to our roads and make it harder for crews to undertake work to undertake road repairs.”

The Transport Department said more significant rainfall was predicted for Australia’s east coast, and with extended periods of wet weather limited work could be undertaken to repair our road network.

Potholes can occur when water gets onto the pavement structure – the water first weakens the pavement material and then traffic breaks apart the affected area causing a pothole.

The spokesperson said the department needed to wait for warmer, drier weather to be able to deliver long-term repairs, adding it was not practical to deliver major resurfacing or sealing work in wet or cold weather as this “drastically increases the risk of the works failing”.

Conditions can change quickly roads may close with little or no notice, and motorists are “urged to use extreme caution when driving”.

Drivers who come across potholes or any other damage on roads should report them by calling the Regional Roads Victoria line 133 778.

Motorcylist warning

Melbourne media on Friday reported motorists were stranded along the Hume Fwy after hitting huge potholes.

On social media Mat Bowtell posted a message saying the potholes were the worst he’d seen in 42 years, urging bike riders to be safe, saying if they hit a hole it was like “playing Russian Roulette”.

Many commented it was the same across Victoria and NSW due to the weather, but Mat replied he had travelled to Wilsons Promontory a few weeks ago and “they were the best roads I've ever seen”.

Rosemary said her ute was “nearly wiped out” on the South Gippsland Hwy driving to Melbourne.

“Massive potholes ... nearly flipped us,” she said.

Kayleen said they took part in the Barry Sheene ride and roads were fine until Bass Coast.

“From there they are horrendous. Pot holes everywhere and usually no warning,” Kayleen said.

“If they are patched, the edges are so high and rough they nearly throw you off your bike if you hit one.”

Anne agreed saying it was “embarrassing” to have international competitors see the “state of our roads”, while Joel said he had a double tyre blow out a couple of months ago.

Robert joked if anyone is near the pothole outside Newhaven College “can you have a look and see if my Hilux is still in there”.

Heather asked “VicRoads where are you?”.