General News
28 December, 2025
Safety first push in latest plea
THE push has started to upgrade a major Loddon traffic route.
Arnold’s Carly Noble said the State Government should fund construction of a dual carriage way on Bridgewater-Dunolly Road, Bridgewater, between the Calder Highway and Pondage Road.
Mrs Noble said the section of road was a high-traffic area “that poses serious safety concerns for all who travel it”.
“Since 2022, responsibility for maintaining this road has shifted from Loddon Shire to VicRoads,” she said.
“Despite the increasing number of potholes appearing daily, only two have been repaired this year.
“While Transport Victoria’s Loddon Mallee maintenance program for 2025-2026 includes resurfacing for nearby highways, this section of Arnold Road has remained a single lane for over 10 years. The narrow width and large potholes force smaller vehicles off the pavement when trucks pass, creating ongoing risks for all road users, including myself, as a daily commuter.”
Mrs Noble’s call comes as the Calder Highway intersection bitumen continues breaking up with heavy depressions in the surface approaching the Loddon River bridge.
Transport Victoria last week said resurfacing of Bridgewater-Maldon Road and Bridgewater-Dunolly Road were on its 2025-2026 road maintenance program.
The listed works also include the Calder Highway at Bridgewater and the Loddon Valley Highway at Durham Ox. Works south of Bridgewater and in the main street are underway this week.
Other works included on the annual program are Logan-Wedderburn Road at Wedderburn, Boort-Pyramid Road, Boort-Kerang Road at Minmindie and Boort-Charlton Road Terrappee.
The department said rehabilitation works on the Echuca-Mitiamo Road at Mitiamo were expected to be finished early next year. The 1km section is between Millar Road and Crossman Road
Crews will be working from 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday.
During works there will be lane closures and reduced speeds in place. Delays of up to 10 minutes should be expected, the department said.
It said this year’s road maintenance program was targeting high-traffic areas and busy freight routes.