‘Long overdue’ road funding

Member for Lowan Emma Kealy is celebrating a ‘long overdue’ $4.5-million upgrade of a narrow section of Dunkeld-cavendish Road.

The State Government announced last week it would widen a 7.5-kilometre section of the road, which serves as a key link between the Glenelg and Henty highways for up to 600 vehicles a day, including heavy vehicles transporting timber from logging operations.

Ms Kealy said while the announcement was years overdue, it was a start and some reward for years of tireless campaigning by local residents and road users.

“Roads in western Victoria should never have to get to the shocking state of the Dunkeld-cavendish Road before they get fixed,” she said.

“While I’m concerned the funding might not be enough to repair all the potholes and crumbling edges of this dangerous road, it will go some way to addressing the safety concerns of local road users.”

Acting Roads and Road Safety Minister Jacinta Allan said the major upgrade would ensure the road was safer and equipped to handle rising levels of traffic travelling in either direction.

There are sections of the road where vehicles are unable to pass each other while remaining on the sealed surface.

Ms Allan said road works would start on Monday and take several months to complete.

She said the upgrade was part of the Labor government’s $40-million investment in upgrading narrow roads across the state’s south-west.