General News
15 May, 2023
Help for horror highway spots
Farmers, freight operators and motorists can look forward to a smoother ride over coming weeks and months as works continue on upgrading two of the region's major highways. So far, 5.54km of the Henty Highway has been improved, with another four...
Farmers, freight operators and motorists can look forward to a smoother ride over coming weeks and months as works continue on upgrading two of the region's major highways.
So far, 5.54km of the Henty Highway has been improved, with another four sections soon to be complete.
Crews are now upgrading the highway at Byrneville, just north of Jung, between Coffeys Road and Minyip-Dimboola Road, with traffic management in place around the worksite for the safety of drivers and workers.
Further improvements will take place across sections of the highway in Rosebery and Beulah, scheduled for completion by the end of May, weather permitting.
The latest improvements build on road rehabilitation works undertaken last year across a 7.5km stretch of the Henty Highway, just before the Horsham-Minyip Road turn off.
Meanwhile, speed limiting signs and temporary lane closures are being put in place on the Wimmera Highway to repair sections of the highway in Dooen and St Arnaud East.
Since the start of the year, crews have been on-site at Bates Lake near Hauslers-Dundons Road, and between Quantong Cemetery Road and Vectis Station Road in Vectis.
Works will continue between Molyneaux Road and Max Johns Road, and Forster Road and Kooreh Road, with additional upgrades to take place next month at Murtoa township.
These works follow upgrades undertaken last year on the Wimmera Highway at Dooen, Rupanyup, Jung and Vectis.
In total, more than 3.9km of the Wimmera Highway will be repaired across five sections.
Both the Henty and Wimmera highways are used by about 2000 vehicles per day.
In addition to the state government's current $780 million investment in Victoria’s road assets, the federal government is stumping up further cash for rural and regional councils to spend on local road and community infrastructure projects.
Including the funds top-up just announced, Horsham Rural City Council will receive a total of $2.25 million, West Wimmera $2.41 million, Hindmarsh $1.7 million, Yarriambiack $2.08 million, Buloke $2.52 million, Northern Grampians $2.8 million and Loddon $3.76 million.
Member for Mallee Anne Webster said while she was pleased the federal government would continue the road repair program, it was not enough.
“I’ve done a few thousand kilometres just in the last few weeks in Mallee and the roads are in dreadful condition," she said.
"So while it is good to see Labor continuing this worthwhile program by providing some funding it is disappointing to see them reduce their investment nearly $30 million overall in Mallee.”
Councils have until June 30 next year to complete these works.
Which stretches of roads in the region do you think are most in need of repair? Nominate your horror highways to: editor@wimmeramalleenews.com.au