By Callum Ludwig
The State Government has committed to its annual major regional road maintenance blitz, with the Warburton and Melba Highways set for repairs.
Residents have previously been frustrated at the state of the Melba, Maroondah and Warburton Highways.
More than 10 kilometres of the Melba Highway will undergo rehabilitation and resurfacing works in multiple locations, while sections of the Warburton Highway in Wandin North and Seville will undergo significant resurfacing works.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll said since 2014 the State Government have made record investments in upgrading and maintaining the state’s road network.
“This work will continue over the next eight months – with a majority of funding spent in regional Victoria,” he said.
“Right across the state, crews will begin repairing and rebuilding the roads that regional Victorians rely on most, connecting people with employment and education opportunities, key freight routes, family and friends.”
The State Government said the $780 million investment will repair and resurface more than 1500km of roads and is double what the Opposition spent when last in office.
Eildon MP Cindy McLeish has been frustrated by the roads in the electorate, previously highlighting the state of the Warburton Highway, particularly through Woori Yallock, Melba Highway and Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Rd between Healesville and Woori Yallock.
The 1300 individual projects that are set to be carried out were selected based on expert inspections and community feedback.
Ms McLeish said only repairing sections of the 35-kilometre-long Warburton Highway is simply not enough.
“While some trouble areas will be repaired, other spots in need of work will miss out completely.The same issues will arise on the Melba Highway. Only roughly 10 kilometres will be resurfaced out of a 65-kilometre highway that locals are saying is in the worst condition they have seen it in for 50 years,” she said.
“Both the Warburton and Melba Highways have deep potholes that are causing tyre blowouts, busted wheel alignments and putting drivers at risk of accidents. The same issues will remain in the areas not being resurfaced. More absolutely needs to be done.”
In August, ‘Fix It’ was spray-painted onto the Melba Highway in Dixons Creek.
