Funded road and bridge works to address safety concerns
Published on 28 November 2023
Northern Grampians Shire Council has been fortunate to receive funding under the Federal Government’s Heavy Vehicle Safety Productivity Program (HVSPP) and Bridge Renewal Program (BRP) for two projects.
The Baldwin Plains and Tottington Roads project at Gre Gre will upgrade 5.67km of unsealed gravel road to 6.2m width sealed road with 1m gravel shoulders, intersection widening at Carrols Bridge Road and drainage works. This will provide sealed access from the quarry on Tottington Road, all the way through to the arterial road network, significantly improving access for quarry traffic and many agricultural producers.
Cr Rob Haswell, Mayor Northern Grampians Shire Council said, “Council's Rural Road Safety Plan (2020) states that roads that are damaged or in disrepair pose significant safety hazards for users. The current unsealed road deteriorates very quickly and requires a high maintenance program to keep it trafficable.
Sealing the road will make a significant difference for locals, it will decrease travel times, reduce wear and tear to vehicles, improve accessibility, allow larger vehicles to use the road and stop heavy vehicles from using other smaller local roads when this road is in a poor condition.”
The road improvement works are estimated to save local businesses, farmers and transport companies an estimated $39,000 per annum and an estimated $30,000 for council’s road maintenance crews.
The project has a value of $900,000 with $600,000 made up of funding under the HVSPP and a council contribution of $300,000 plus in-kind design and project management.
The second funded project will upgrade the substandard Wallaloo East Road Bridge between Studall and Daws Bridge Roads which has been assessed as understrength. Works involve strengthening to cater for heavy vehicle loading, widening from 6.1m to 7.8m and the replacement of bridge rail to increase road safety.
The project has a value of $470,000 made up of $370,000 of funding under the BRP and a $100,000 contribution from Council. The bridge widening will make it safer for vehicles with wide agricultural machinery crossing over the bridge.
Cr Haswell said, “When complete the 65-year-old bridge will have its useful life increased from around 20 years to 100 years. Works will result in a no-load limit being applied to the structure which will provide secure access for many years to come for the agricultural sector.”