More road works for Great Alpine Road

More work to upgrade sections of the Great Alpine Road (GAR) will commence in the New Year.

State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said more than half a million would be spent on resealing between Swift’s Creek and Omeo and a further section at Lockup Creek north of Tambo Crossing.

“This is on top of $2.55m announced in August to tackle run-off-road crashes on the lower sections of the GAR and the $2m to repair significant landslips after the recent floods, which also resulted in major upgrades to areas including Namestone Point.

“Some of this new work is being funded under the additional $45m for road maintenance announced this week by Premier Baillieu,” said Mr Bull.

Mr Baillieu said the lack of maintenance under the previous Labor Government meant underlying issues with the condition of roads were not exposed during a decade of drought.

“The fact is, after a number of major flood events and two years of wetter than normal weather, there has been far greater road maintenance required than ever anticipated.

“So we’ve directed another $45 million in fixing the problems. This takes the Victorian Coalition Government’s Road Asset Management budget for 2012/13 to $432.9 million – more than Labor ever provided in a year.

“We will target roads where repair is needed the most and we’re getting on with the works now, because during winter months it is not ideal to carry out permanent pavement works.”

Mr Bull said this latest announcement continued the significant investment on East Gippsland roads by this government, including: •     $8m on the Omeo Highway, •     $4.3m to improve the Princes Highway between Bairnsdale and Stratford, •     $3.3m in safety works on the Princes Highway between Cann River and Orbost, •     $2.7m to upgrade the Princes Highway between Forge Creek Road and the Paynesville turnoff in Bairnsdale, •    $2.55m to improve the lower section of the Great Alpine Road.

Shadow Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Regional Transport, Darren Chester, welcomed this further investment in local roads.

“There remains much to do from all levels of government, but the investment from this State Government in the region’s roads is to be commended and I will continue to advocate strongly at a Federal level for our share of roads resources.”