The state government has confirmed it will give Kalkee's Blue Ribbon Road a facelift as part of its latest road upgrades package.
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It comes as Member for Lowan Emma Kealy accused Roads Minister Jaala Pulford of knocking back a proposal to make upgrades worth $50 million to roads across the Wimmera.
Ms Kealy said a representative of Regional Roads Victoria approached her on July 18, claiming Ms Pulford rejected a plan to widen narrow roads in the Grampians region.
"My understanding is that it was a $50 million package targeting a number of roads in the VicRoads region that required widening for safety reasons - including roads subject to increased traffic and Silo Art Trail roads, and where road shoulders needed works," she said.
"We have a fundamental issue where the roads body is trying to get the region's roads upgraded but the minister is not coming to the party with the resources."
A government spokesman did not directly address Ms Kealy's claims, but said Regional Roads Victoria had finalised its inspections of Blue Ribbon Road to assess what improvements were needed
"We'll be resurfacing 11 kilometres of Blue Ribbon Road and carrying out works to strengthen sections of the road as part of our upcoming $425 million rural road maintenance package," he said.
He said the works would take place when weather conditions were "favourable".
The spokesman said the government had provided $15 million to the Horsham, Hindmarsh, Ararat, Northern Grampians, Yarriambiack and West Wimmera municipalities under the Fixing Country Roads Program.
Mal Kersting, regional director for Regional Roads Victoria - the body charged with rebuilding and resurfacing roads across the state - confirmed Blue Ribbon Road had been identified for a package of "resurfacing and strengthening works".
Kalkee residents expressed their concerns about the state of Blue Ribbon Road after it was used as a diversion route during a fatal crash that closed the Western Highway at Pimpinio on July 11.
The road sustained damage from the extra traffic use.
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Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
