The Victorian Government is helping councils across south west Victoria to improve their local road network through the $100 million Fixing Country Roads Program.
Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced a major package of road upgrades to be delivered in partnership with councils across the length and breadth of the south west.
In the Golden Plains Shire, Teesdale-Lethbridge Road will be widened and drainage improvements set to boost safety for all road users.
The Surf Coast Shire will deliver wider shoulders and a stronger road surface for Buckleys Road North to cater for increasing commercial traffic.
Strengthening works will also allow Colac Otway Road Bridge to continue to carry heavy agricultural and commercial vehicle traffic along with safety upgrades to the bridge’s guard rails.
In Warrnambool, 1.1 kilometres of Boiling Down Road will be rebuilt and widened between Gateway Road and Horne Road to better cater for two-way traffic, as well as sealing the road shoulders, new drainage and driveway entrances.
Warrnambool City Council also received funding to plan for an upgrade of Wollaston Road.
Colac Otway Shire Council will carry out much needed widening and sealing works on Binns Road in order to cater for increasing tourism traffic, as well heavy logging vehicles.
Corangamite Shire Council will widen Timboon-Curdievale Road, with the road’s width set to be increased from 3.6 to 6.6 metres to accommodate increased heavy vehicle traffic. A 325-metre section of Timboon’s Ford and Fells Road will also be sealed.
Moyne Shire will upgrade a major culvert on Glenthompson-Caramut Road and rebuild as new another 1.5 kilometres to enhance the strength, durability and longevity of the road.
In Portland, Glenelg Shire will rebuild a 1.5-kilometre section of Heath Road and improve safety by fixing broken culverts, sealing road shoulders and improving signage and line-markings. Heath Road is a key route that services the airport.
These local road upgrades will be delivered by June 2019.
The $100 million Fixing Country Roads Program is part of Labor’s record $941 million invested in regional roads.
These grants are on top of the $333 million dedicated to regional road maintenance, which is being delivered by the new country roads authority – Regional Roads Victoria (RRV).
Applications for round two of the Fixing Country Roads Program will open in early 2019.
For more information, visit regionalroads.vic.gov.au .
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“Since coming to office we’ve doubled spending on road maintenance to make sure that regional Victorians get the road works they need.”
“This investment will ensure council managed roads, like those across south-western Victoria aren’t left behind as we rollout our record investment in country roads.”