Overhaul of highway overpass underway

A THREE-week project has commenced to overhaul the road surface and remedy extensive collateral damage to a badly affected bridge on the McIvor Highway.

The work is taking place on a span near Axedale and follows emergency repairs after the floods in October last year.

The bridge runs across Axe Creek between Axedale and Longlea.

Remedial works are also reported to be up and running on the McIvor Highway at Longlea, on a section of the thoroughfare that was reduced to one lane due to a landslip during the same flood event.

The work to bolster the creek bank, as well as fix the road surface and barriers at the Longlea location, are expected to take eight weeks.

“We’re working hard to repair the state’s roads following the devastating floods last year,” said Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Melissa Horne.

“The floods have caused major damage to our roads right across the state, but Victorians can rest assured that we’re delivering the long-term repairs where they’re needed most to ensure motorists can keep moving safely on our roads.”

The repair work is part of a $165 million flood emergency fund provided by the State Government, which is in addition to its 2022/23 budget pledge of $780 million to preserve local roads.

As of late November last year, in the clean-up effort following the unprecedented deluge, 568 roads remained closed across the state, while more than 4000 roads and 1170 bridges and structures had been inspected by VicRoads, and 92,500 potholes had been seen to.