THE federal minister for infrastructure and transport has praised works that have been completed along a major road connecting Golden Plains communities.<\/p>\n
Ballarat MP Catherine King inspected the upgrade to Mount Mercer-Dereel Road on Thursday 16 April.<\/p>\n
The $1.76m project transformed the single-lane sealed road between Shelford-Mount Mercer and Colac-Ballarat roads.<\/p>\n
It included widening the road to two lanes, construction of a new bridge and an eight-cell culvert, completion of line-marking and installation of compliant guardrails and end barriers.<\/p>\n
Funded through the federal government’s Roads to Recovery Program, Golden Plains Shire Council completed the upgrade.<\/p>\n
The project was finished on time and within budget through reusing parts of the existing road.<\/p>\n
“It’s not cheap to do these culverts and drainage works,” Ms King said. “They’ve really stretched the money well.<\/p>\n
“The Albanese government has doubled the funding we provide to local governments through the Roads to Recovery Program, because we know how critical this program is to supporting councils to repair and maintain the local roads we use every day.”<\/p>\n
Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Owen Sharkey said residents loved seeing improvements to roads.<\/p>\n
“Roads upgrading is always number one on the list,” he said. “People will definitely appreciate seeing that money getting out to us, and letting us deliver these great outcomes for the community.<\/p>\n
“This upgrade delivers a safer and more reliable connection for everyone who travels through this part of our shire.<\/p>\n
“This new two-lane road and bridge will make a real difference for local residents, farmers and visitors who rely on this route every day.”<\/p>\n
Darren Saunders, the Shire’s coordinator for roads and drainage engineering, said the upgrade had improved the section, which was in a challenging environment with features such as a tight tree canopy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE federal minister for infrastructure and transport has praised works that have been completed along a major road connecting Golden Plains communities. Ballarat MP Catherine King inspected the upgrade to Mount Mercer-Dereel Road on Thursday 16 April. The $1.76m project transformed the single-lane sealed road between Shelford-Mount Mercer and Colac-Ballarat roads. It included widening the […]<\/p>\n