Jun 14, 2026 – 3.15pmIran’s chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz could cause new problems for Australian drivers, with predictions that soaring bitumen prices will lead to a proliferation of potholes.The price of bitumen, the viscous petroleum-based binder that holds asphalt together, has skyrocketed, costing about $500 more per tonne since the Middle East crisis forced Australia to scramble to find alternative supplies from as far afield as Venezuela and the Gulf of Mexico.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles
Potholes ahead: Hormuz bitumen blockade set to hit Australian roads
Iran’s blockade of the vital waterway may cause long-term damage to thoroughfares, as materials prices soar and supplies remain under threat.
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