Wednesday 2 October 2019 – The Victorian Government has committed more than $870 million to launch a road maintenance blitz, continuing its record investment in improving hundreds of freeways, arterial and country roads across Victoria.
The investment includes $653.5 million to rebuild and resurface roads over the next two years, on top the Government’s annual investment in road maintenance which will be $216 million this financial year.
In the next year, more than 1,800 kilometres of road will be upgraded, 150,000 potholes repaired, and more than 30,000 kilometres of roadside vegetation trimmed across Victoria.
Roads needing extensive work will be targeted, including the Melba Highway at Dixons Creek, Mornington-Tyabb Road at Moorooduc and Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road in Pakenham.
This funding continues the Victorian Government’s record investment in regional road maintenance, which Premier Daniel Andrews said was a priority.
“This massive investment will fix the roads Victorians rely on every day and get people home safer and sooner, wherever they live,” Mr Andrews said.
Regional councils continue to deliver round two of the ‘Fixing Country Roads’ program which has seen 133 projects on municipal roads. Projects include rebuilding sections of local roads, sealing gravel roads and strengthening bridges.
Minister for Roads Jaala Pulford said works to fix dangerous suburban and country roads for residents would commence shortly.
“We know how important suburban and country roads are for families getting to work or taking their kids to school. That’s why over the coming months you’ll see crews fixing and repairing the roads that need it the most,” Ms Pulford said.
Planned works are set to create 1,100 construction jobs, with over 100 workers fixing roads across Melbourne on any given night.
