The Andrews Labor Government has completed repairs to sections of the Midland Highway – one of regional Victoria’s busiest and most crucial freight and commuter links after it was damaged by flooding and heavy rainfall.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Mel Horne announced the repairs were part of repairing the state’s most badly flood damaged roads along key freight and travel routes, keeping drivers and goods on the move right across the state.
The work is along a 1.3-kilometre stretch of highway between Gheringhap and Bannockburn that was badly flood damaged last year and had to be ripped up as a result.
Thousands of drivers will get to where they need to be more reliably as a result of the repairs on the highway between two of the state’s busiest regional cities – Ballarat and Geelong.
Victoria’s flood-damaged roads are undergoing large-scale, repairs as part of the Labor Government’s $165 million emergency repair blitz.
The government is investing an additional $2.8 billion over 10 years into road maintenance and renewal works, including flood recovery – to deliver the long-term investment needed to improve our road network.
This will see a total of at least $6.6 billion invested in maintaining our road assets over the next decade, with $770 million to be spent in 2023-24 alone.
In addition to linking Ballarat and Geelong, the Midland Highway also connects the Port of Geelong, with Bendigo, Shepparton and Benalla and supports the freight, livestock and horticulture industries.
As stated by Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne
“We know that the Midland Highway plays a vital role in Victoria’s economy, as well as connecting drivers to education, employment, family and friends – that’s why we’re making sure the 8000 drivers who use it each day have access to smoother, more reliable journeys.”
As stated by Member for Geelong Christine Couzens
“Last year’s devastating floods did enormous damage to our roads but we’re committed to delivering long-term repairs so drivers can keep moving safely around our state.”
