The City of Hobart is asking people to show extra care on Hobart’s roads and footpaths this winter as black ice becomes an increasing danger during the freezing mornings, especially on the road to the summit of kunanyi / Mt Wellington.
“Black ice can be just millimetres deep, invisible to the naked eye but treacherous to drivers,” City of Hobart Open Space Manager Sean Black said.
City of Hobart mountain crews monitor weather conditions on kunanyi / Mt Wellington seven days a week, and they have observed an increase in black ice compared to past winters.
“We put public safety front and centre, and so we cannot open Pinnacle Road until we know the black ice has melted and the road is safe for the public to drive on,” Mr Black said.
“Our drivers have all received training in driving under dangerous snow and ice conditions, but even they are finding this year’s black ice challenging.
“If visiting kunanyi / Mt Wellington during winter please first check the road status of Pinnacle Road on our . We update it every morning and throughout the day.
“We have also installed extra digital signage on Huon Road that gives real time status of Pinnacle Road, where it is open to and if there is parking available.
“Our mountain is beautiful in winter when snow-capped, but black ice remains a hidden danger and if road access is not managed properly, we could easily see road deaths on Pinnacle Road.”
The City of Hobart is focused on community safety and below freezing conditions this week provides a timely reminder that black ice is not only limited to kunanyi / Mt Wellington but can be a danger for the city and some Hobart suburbs early in the morning.
With the forecast for low overnight temperatures to continue across this week and into the weekend, the City of Hobart is urging everyone to take care be it walking, driving or cycling.
