General News
22 October, 2023
Better roads promised in maintenance blitz
BETTER regional roads have been promised by the State Government. The first phase of a 10-year, $6.6 billion maintenance strategy “will be patching and repairing damage, before future-proofing our roads to make sure they last”, the Government...
BETTER regional roads have been promised by the State Government.
The first phase of a 10-year, $6.6 billion maintenance strategy “will be patching and repairing damage, before future-proofing our roads to make sure they last”, the Government said.
According to the Department of Transport and Planning, local works will include multiple locations on the Calder Highway, Bridgewater-Maldon Road and Boort-Kerang Road.
The spokesperson said: “Drivers travelling on the Loddon Valley Highway can also soon look forward to a smoother and more reliable journey with works to rebuild a key section underway as part of the Victorian Government’s road maintenance program.”
Crews are rebuilding a 1km section of the Loddon Valley Highway, south of Kerang, between Appin South Road and Marcorna Road in Appin South.
“With access to more technology and more data than ever before, our experts have put together a program of works that will deliver works where they’re needed most, including some of the Loddon Shire’s busiest and most productive trade and travel routes,” they said.
Works will be programmed through to June 2024, according to the Government.
The State Government has been criticised for not allocating enough funds to maintain roads in the region, some already in poor condition before last October’s flood emergency.
Victorian Farmers’ Federation called for extra funds after the Commonwealth Games were cancelled. “Our country roads are the lifelines of regional Victoria, supporting the backbone of our regional economy. Redirecting (Games’) funds to fixing these roads would have made sense and would have delivered a benefit to every regional Victorian,” said president Emma Germano said.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government is still to complete its 90-day review into Australia’s infrastructure pipeline announced more than five months ago.
Among projects caught up in the review are passing lanes on the Calder Highway at Derby.