By Romy Stephens
Road works along the Maroondah Highway have been put on hold for about three months due to cold and wet weather.
The State Government is currently upgrading the highway between Coldstream and Healesville, including adding turning lanes and lowering the speed limit.
Due to an absence of warm and dry weather, meaning the roads can’t set properly, a pause in work will take place from 20 June to September.
A State Government spokesperson said unexpected high rainfall was to blame for the pause.
“Major works to improve road safety along the Maroondah Highway between Coldstream and Healesville needed to be put on hold after unseasonably high levels of rain throughout the early months of the year impacted on the schedule,” the spokesperson said.
“The Department of Transport has undertaken a road safety audit – which is usual practice – to ensure the measures that are in place while works are paused meet road design and safety standards.
“We thank everyone for their patience and apologise for any inconvenience as we work to ensure a safer route along the Maroondah Highway.”
Temporary line markings to widen the lanes were completed earlier this month, enabling the speed limit to go up to 80 km/h on 10 July. This speed limit will remain in place while the works are on hold.
A 1.5km section of the highway near the Domaine Chandon Winery will have a 60 km/h speed limit to allow safe access to the winery during the suspension.According to the State Government, intersection upgrades were almost complete with final sealing, line markings and installation of flexible safety barriers due to be undertaken when the weather improves.
Eildon MP Cindy McLeish said she had been contacted by numerous locals who vented their “disappointment and frustration” at the pause in works.
“The safety works have caused considerable angst in the local community. There was minimal consultation in the first place and now to be delayed half way through the project because of cold and wet conditions – as if this was a surprise for this time of year,” she said.
“Finally after much agitation line markings have been improved so it is less confusing for drivers.
“The speed limit is back to 80km/h except for one section where it drops to 60km/h. This should have been done immediately once works were stopped. Locals have been booked due to the confusing signage and conditions.”
