$4m upgrade in bid to make region’s roads safer

THREE major roads across the region will undergo maintenance in coming months as part of an almost $4 million upgrade.

Anglesea Rd, the Bellarine Highway and Geelong Ring Road will be resurfaced as part of an $84 million program of works planned for the region’s 4000km arterial network this financial year.

About $2 million will be spent rebuilding and strengthening 2.6km of Queenscliffbound lanes of the Bellarine Highway between Whitehorse Rd and Christies Rd.

And $1.8 million will be spent asphalting and resurfac- ing 1.8km of Anglesea Rd between Mt Duneed Rd and Coombes Rd.

It follows an extensive safety upgrade already under way on the road, which includes the installation of flexible safety barriers.

Meanwhile, resurfacing works will be completed on 3.5km of the Melbournebound lanes of the Geelong Ring Road, and on sections of Fyansford-Gheringhap Rd and Lower Duneed Rd.

Bellarine MP Lisa Neville said the road upgrades were the result of input from the community.

“We’ve heard the com- munities in the Geelong, Bellarine and Surf Coast regions loud and clear — that’s why we’re getting on with the job of upgrading the roads that people rely on every day,” Ms Neville said.

Roads Minister Luke Donnellan said: “Since coming to office we’ve doubled spending on road maintenance and from today regional Victoria will have a dedicated agency solely focused on fixing country roads.”

Maintenance work will also be completed on Barwon Heads-Ocean Grove Rd in coming months.