Locals will have unprecedented access to information about the condition of roads, road works and upgrades in the South West as part of a massive overhaul of the way VicRoads manages the road network.
Victorians have told VicRoads they want greater transparency about road conditions and the work VicRoads is doing, from roadside drainage to fixing pot-holes and providing safer overtaking opportunities.
The feedback from 11,000 Victorians, 700 stakeholders and 30 councils is now shaping the most significant period of planning, construction, maintenance and uplift of the 19,000 kilometre regional road network since World War Two.
In the south west, there were also calls for long term road maintenance plans, measures to reduce traffic impacts at tourist destinations and upgrades to the region’s narrow roads.
The Andrews Labor Government is already acting on many of the issues raised by overseeing the investment of $300 million in the road network across the southwest in 2017/18, including:
- The Narrow Roads program to widen and improve worn out roads now used as essential freight corridors.
- Strengthening and resurfacing four key roads servicing the Port of Portland – a vital part of the Green Triangle upgrade.
- Safeguarding the future of the Great Ocean Road, with upgrade works to include road resurfacing, bridge strengthening and other targeted improvement work.
- New multilingual safety signs installed on popular tourist destinations, like the Great Ocean Road.
- Safety improvements for Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Road and Angelsea Road.
- Duplication of the Princes Highway to Colac
- Safety improvements for Anglesea Road
- Upgrade of Hamilton Highway from Geelong to Cressy
- Upgrade of Forrest Apollo Bay Road
- Resurfacing and major patching works at over 100 locations across the southwest
From today, Victorians will be able to log on to a digital dashboard on the VicRoads website to track progress on road upgrades, pot-hole repairs and other maintenance efforts.
A new international star rating tool will be rolled out, starting with the 20 most dangerous country roads that will help inform future safety investments and encourage people to drive to local road conditions.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“Understanding the state of the roads from the people who know them best is vital to ensuring we can rebuild our regional road network, to provide the connections our community needs.”
“We are getting on with the job of improving the regional road network, doubling our investment in road maintenance since coming to office.”
