State funding to improve two roads

Two local roads are set to receive major upgrades with $1.5 million funding allocated through Regional Roads Victoria’s fixing country roads program.

Works will be undertaken next financial year on Yarragon Shady Creek Rd and Neerim North Rd.

Baw Baw Shire Council applied for funding to subsidise costly upgrade works to enhance safety, connectivity, reliability and efficiency of both roads.

Both projects will be delivered as part of council’s 2019/20 capital works program.

Mayor Mikaela Power said roads were one of council’s main advocacy priorities so this $1.5 million funding allocation was fantastic news.

Council has secured $1.03 million towards the Yarragon Shady Creek Rd project which is expected to cost a total $1.55 million.

The works include widening, stabilisation and sealing abouty two kilometres between Sheehan Rd and Araluen Rd.

Upgrade works will repair existing sections of the road and seal shoulders on corners.

Works also will include tree trimming and removal to improve visibility and clearance distance.

This upgrade will be a continuation of works undertaken earlier this year on Yarragon Shady Creek Rd between Reserve Rd and North Canal Rd.

Cr Peter Kostos said Yarragon Shady Creek Rd was subject to shoulder drop offs and edge breaks from large trucks.

“Once the upgrade is complete, the road will be safer and more reliable for all vehicles including large Bdouble cattle trucks, milk tankers, produce carriers, local residents and emergency services,” he said.

For the Neerim North Rd project, council has secured $513,000 funding towards the $769,000 project. These works also include widening, stabilisation and sealing of about three kilometres over four sections of the road. The works include: Installation of additional crossroad culverts and subsoil drainage;

Strengthened road pavement through in situ stabilisation and new road base material and,

Wider road pavement with re-cut table drains and box out widening slots.

The project was identified as a priority project through the capital works planning and community consultation.

Cr Darren Wallace said about 330 vehicles used Neerim North Rd every day 30 per cent of these were commercial vehicles and large trucks.

“We look forward to delivering not only a much safer stretch of road, but also supporting local farmers and industry by reducing travel time and costs,” he said.