REGIONAL roads will be fixed and lives will be saved.
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That’s the promise the Coalition have made if they are elected in November.
If elected, they promise to return the $160 million Country Roads and Bridges program, which was axed by the state government in 2014.
They have also promised to provide Victoria’s 40 rural shires with about $1 million in grants each year over four years.
The grants will help restore and rehabilitate council maintained roads and bridges.
Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said the Country Roads and Bridges Program would give rural Victorians the safe and reliable infrastructure they deserved.
“The Nationals restoring this program will provide a much needed boost for our local country roads, making our roads safer, our communities more liveable and support local jobs,” she said.
“Only The Nationals understand how important it is to invest in country roads. If elected in November we will bring back The Nationals Country Roads and Bridges Program to fix country roads and save country lives.”
Ms Kealy said the Coalition had liaised with councils across the state to uncover the roads that needed the most attention.
“It’s up to councils to make these final decisions of which roads to prioritise, but we have talked to councils to see where they think the money should go,” she said.
Leader of the Nationals Peter Walsh said fixing roads was crucial for the growth of regional Victoria.
“Liberal Nationals have a plan for the safe, reliable infrastructure,” he said.
“If you fix country roads, you save country lives, and that’s exactly what this program will do.”
Suggested upgrades shortlisted in the Horsham Rural City Council area include:
- Proposed roundabout at Bennett and Natimuk roads intersection
- Upgrade for Stawell and Hamilton roads intersection
- Upgrade for Western Highway (McPherson Street) and Hamilton Street intersection
- Upgrade for Darlot and Wilson streets (Wimmera Highway) intersection
- Upgrade and railway line crossing for Western Highway intersection with O’Brees, Curran, Geodetic and Riley roads
- Additional highway lighting at Pimpinio
- Upgrade of turn provisions at Polkemmett Road and Western Highway intersection
- Pedestrian crossing or median island at Dimboola Road, west of Wawunna Road
- Installation of turning lanes into Horsham-Noradjuha Road from Wimmera Highway
- Upgrading of narrow road and intersection at Horsham-Lubeck and Drung-Jung roads
- Widening of Horsham-Lubeck Road
- Improving lighting and line marking at Kenny Road, Horsham and Henty Highway intersection
- Review of service road at Stawell Road, Horsham