General News
31 December, 2025
Bitumen works come to halt at start of ‘battle scar’ section
CALDER Highway resurfacing works have stopped within millimetres of a crumbling section of the state’s major northern route.
Works last week also hit Bridgewater businesses in a week traditionally among the busiest for trade.
Coffee on Loddon did not open on Wednesday as crews resurfaced Main Street that was closed for parking.
Residents are concerned that a more dangerous section of the highway surface has not been repaired.
Glenn Catto, who travels regularly from his nearby farm into town, said approaches to the highway from Arnold and Serpentine were “full of battle scars”.
Mr Catto said sections of the road were dipping several centimetres.
“And the surface is crumbling quicker than a biscuit,” Mr Catto said.
“Seriously, it’s one of the roughest parts of the Calder Highway you will find in the Loddon Shire and it’s a disgrace the worst is overlooked for repairs.
“People wouldn’t have minded disruption in Main Street if the road was being improved. Instead, all we’ve got is a new lot of bitumen over the top of another lot of bitumen.”
Executive director Loddon Mallee Hume with the Department of Transport and Planning, Anthony Judd, said: “Road resurfacing forms part of critical maintenance works which are being prioritised across the network.
“These works along the Calder Highway have been scheduled to align with suitable weather conditions and other projects.
“We encourage members of the public to report any hazards on our roads, including potholes, by calling 13 11 70.”
The department did not respond to questions on why the “worst” section of the highway at Bridgewater was overlooked.
Instead, it said: “Notice of works were provided through letter drops to the Bridgewater township and digital signage along the highway.
“We undertake detailed planning prior to building and repairing roads right across the state, taking into consideration factors specific to the road’s region – including the climate and anticipated weather – in order to ensure the methods we use for constructing and repairing our roads will maximise the infrastructure’s lifetime.,” the department told the Loddon Herald on Friday.
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