THE turnoff signs for Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest were damaged in a car accident in June, and had been placed at ground level and sandbagged in the road median until early July, when another highway crash claimed the life of a 90-year-old man.

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Investigations into that fatal crash are still ongoing.

Ian Lyne, resident of Hawks Nest, said that the signs placed at ground level made it very difficult for some drivers, especially those in lower vehicles, to see the oncoming traffic at the turnoff.

“I drive a small car and couldn’t really see over the signs when they were propped up at ground level.”

“I’m not surprised there was an accident there to be honest, you almost had to inch into traffic a bit just to be able to see around them,” he said.

Transport for NSW told News Of The Area that they had initiated the process for replacement as soon as the initial incident and damage was reported.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson said, “The existing directional sign on the Pacific Highway at Tea Gardens has been reinstalled as a temporary measure.”

“A new sign will be reinstalled by mid-August, weather permitting.”

The spokesperson furthered that a full replacement of the signs’ support structure is required, and that manufacture and installation is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

By Ashley CHRYSLER