The Andrews Labor Government is boosting safety in Cobden with a large section of Lavers Hill-Cobden Road rebuilt – providing a vital connection for freight and tourism in the southwest.
Crews have worked over the past few months to rebuild 3.7 kilometres of Lavers Hill-Cobden Road, making it one of the biggest maintenance upgrades in the southwest region.
Sitting between Cobden and Jancourt East, the new surface has been resealed and line marking completed, as well as safety barriers installed to help prevent run-off-road crashes.
The $3.9 million pavement rehabilitation will benefit one thousand daily motorists, particularly freight operators that make up 20 per cent of daily users of the route, which use the road to access farms and local markets.
With the safety upgrades now complete, the 100km/h speed limit has been reintroduced along this section of the arterial route.
The work was made possible through the Labor Government’s $115 million Inland Routes Program, which is improving a number of connecting inland roads between the Great Ocean Road and Princes Highway.
The Inland Routes Program was announced at the 2020 state budget alongside a further $140 million investment to improve the resilience of the Great Ocean Road by carrying out vital geotechnical works, bridge strengthening and road rebuilding works.
The $255 million investment will ensure the Great Ocean Road and its inland roads can continue to support the region’s $1.5 billion tourism industry, as well as local freight operators and communities right across southwestern Victoria.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll
“The works along Lavers Hill-Cobden Road have increased safety and improved reliability for all road users in the southwest.”
“As one of the biggest road maintenance upgrades in the region over the past year, we are supporting farmers and freight operators getting their products from paddock to plate.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“Our road crews have been working hard to complete this important maintenance project, which will benefit the Cobden community that sits in the heart of Victoria’s dairy supply chain.”
“With the works complete, road users can now enjoy a smoother, more efficient and reliable journey, along this key inland freight and tourism route.”
Reviewed 31 May 2022