Highway upgrades are some of the biggest ticket items in a $941 million Victorian Government regional and road spending splurge, announced in this year’s State Budget.
State Treasurer Tim Pallas said the issue was not that regional Victoria didn’t have enough roads, but rather they were not in good enough condition.
“It is the biggest regional and rural road blitz Victoria has ever seen,” Mr Pallas said.
“Decades of under investment and inattention mean our country roads need an overhaul.
“Roads are the lifeblood of our regions and are particularly crucial to our tourism and agriculture industries.”
Earlier this year, the Victorian Farmers Federation’s Geelong grains conference was told poor roads were taking a heavy toll on vehicles.
Mr Pallas announced spending of $73m in south-west Victoria and a new dedicated body, Regional Roads Victoria, for Ballarat.
He said urgently needed repairs would also be carried out on sections of the Henty and Glenelg Highways, as well as dozens of other roads in need of repair.
Nearly $40m will be spend on upgrading the Princes Highway, between Colac and the South Australian border, with other major works planned between Geelong and Cressy, on the Hamilton Highway.
Also included in the package is a $100 million Fixing Country Roads fund, to assist rural and regional councils with maintenance and restoration.
Mr Pallas said nearly $100m would be spent on the Western Highway, with bypasses planned for Beaufort and Ararat.
“For our Western District farmers, grain producers, tourism operators and manufacturers, this will be a game changer,” Mr Pallas said.
Other upgrades include $19.9m for a Shepparton heavy vehicle alternative freight route upgrades and $19m on the Calder Highway.
Another $9.9m will be spend on an upgrade of the Hamilton Highway and $7.9m on the Kiewa Valley Highway.
About $21m will also be spent on bridge strengthening.
