Repair delay may affect race
CONTINUING heavy rain is playing havoc with attempts to start work on restoring a collapsed section of the David Low Way north of Coolum.
With more rain on the way and the chance of a cyclone developing off the coast, engineers face an increasingly daunting task to have the road restored in time for the Mooloolaba triathlon on March 25 and the start of the Easter break on April 1. The tri's cycle leg closes the Sunshine Mwy to just south of the Coolum roundabout.
With the David Low Way now restricted to one temporary lane just north of the Coolum Soccer Club most race-day traffic would be forced to travel through Coolum via Coolum-Yandina Rd.
Transport and Main Roads Sunshine Coast director Dennis Tennant said the rain was chewing into the amount of time that was available to complete the reinstatement of the David Low Way in time for the tri and possibly even the Easter break.
A plan for the work is in place but requires dry weather to stop the flow of water flooding out of the national park and under the road.
"We will throw as much resources needed to meet the target," Mr Tennant said.
The section of the David Low Way collapsed at about 6.30pm on February 26 with the force of water flowing out of the national park and separated stormwater pipes that were abutted but not joined beneath the road.
Once a crack between the pipes was forced, water quickly sucked away supporting sand and soil resulting in the road's collapse.
The solution will include stormwater pipes joined by rubber seals.
