State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, today welcomed a funding boost to upgrade Bengworden Road around the Avon River causeway.

“Regular travellers of Bengworden Road will be familiar with sections around the Avon River causeway that have been patched up in recent times”, Mr Bull said.

“$330,000 will now be invested to overhaul this section of the road, making it much stronger and resistant to water damage.

“Sections of damaged and potholed road surface will be dug up and rebuilt, to provide a smoother and safer journey for all road users.   “We’ve had strong feedback from the community who are keen to see more money invested in repairing damaged roads in this area,” Mr Bull said.

Minister for Roads, Terry Mulder, said Victorians will see more roads restored this year as a result of extra funding in the State Budget.

“The Victorian Coalition Government’s recent budget allocated an extra $130 million to maintain Victorian roads on top of a $170 million boost for road maintenance last year,” Mr Mulder said.

“This takes the State’s road management budget to more than $500 million for the year 2014-15.   “This announcement for Bengworden Road is another example of how the Coalition Government is investing in better, safer roads for Victorians,” he said.   Works on Bengworden Road will start from later this year during the warmer and drier weather conditions required for successful road construction.

The Victorian Coalition Government’s 2014-15 State Budget also includes $5.5 million towards Princes Highway overtaking lanes between Orbost and Nowa Nowa and $625,000 for a rest area upgrade at Murrungowar.