More of Victoria’s flood-ravaged roads are set to undergo large-scale repairs thanks to the Andrews Labor Government’s $165 million emergency repair blitz.
A second round of major roadworks will deliver long-term fixes for roads in some of Victoria’s most badly flood-affected areas, targeting the state’s north, west and south-west to keep flood-affected communities moving as they rebuild.
The $41.3 million works will enable crews to complete more than 460 individual projects across major freight and travel routes, including the Glenelg, Goulburn Valley and Sunraysia highways.
Other roads set to undergo repairs include Elmore-Raywood Road, Bendigo-Pyramid Road, Mortlake-Ararat Road and Dimboola-Rainbow Road.
Works to be delivered under the program will see some sections of flood-damaged roads completely rebuilt, along with large-scale asphalt patching and resurfacing.
Other projects will include landslip repairs, clearing debris from roadsides, drains and culverts and repairing structures affected by the recent floods and extreme rainfalls.
Some of these repair works are already underway, while others will begin as extended periods of warmer, drier weather provide more suitable conditions for rebuilding works.
The second round of works follows on from the initial $89.8 million emergency repairs announced in early December, which has already delivered major repairs on the Hume, Western and Midland highways.
Currently, there are more than 370 roads, made up of a mix of arterial and local roads, that remain closed across the state.
Since October 2022, a crew of 500 workers has worked tirelessly, delivering repairs across Victoria – more than 120 kilometres of asphalting and rebuilding works have already been completed and a further 80 kilometres of work currently underway.
More than 85 kilometres of roadside and drainage clearing, and cleaning has also been delivered to date, with a further 50 kilometres of work currently underway.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne
“Floods and extreme rainfall have caused major damage to roads right across the state, but Victorians can rest assured that we’re delivering the long-term repairs where they are needed most.”
“We are starting the first large-scale repairs in the north of the state, where we’ve seen some of the worst damage caused by these floods – our crews are working around the clock to make sure people and freight can keep moving safely on our roads.”
Reviewed 23 January 2023