Students, parents and teachers will have a safer commute to learn and work under the Liberals and Nationals' plan to replace the dangerous crossing at the Kialla West Primary School with a pedestrian underpass.
On the eve of the fourth anniversary of a horrific collision that seriously injured members of a young family, a Matt Guy led Government will provide up to $2 million to get work underway on building the vital crossing under the Goulburn Valley Highway.
The dangerous crossing is on a direct route for freight, with B-double trucks frequently passing by the school as students attempt to cross the road.
Despite upgrades to signage in the area since the accident, this commitment will fix the issue for good.
The Kialla West Primary School community, led by its proactive School Council, have pushed for the construction of the underpass and after years of advocacy ignored by the Andrews Labor Government, the Liberals and Nationals will deliver the infrastructure needed to improve safety for all.
Member for Northern Victoria, Wendy Lovell, has been a passionate advocate for the underpass since the collision.
"The construction of a pedestrian underpass is critical to ensure the safety of students, staff, school families and motorists and our commitment of up to $2 million to build the underpass shows that only a Matt Guy led Government will deliver for local communities," Ms Lovell said.
"On the eve of the fourth anniversary of that horrific collision, the impacts of which are still felt today, the Liberals and Nationals will deliver the infrastructure needed to keep the community and motorists safe."
Liberal Candidate for Shepparton, Cheryl Hammer, said the time for debate on the underpass was over.
"What more evidence does the Andrews Labor Government need to recognise this crossing is dangerous and take action?" Ms Hammer said.
"We must do all we can to protect students, parents and staff and ensure the near tragedy like 2018 is never repeated. An underpass is clearly what is needed, and that's exactly what we will deliver."
Nationals Candidate for Shepparton, Kim O'Keeffe, said more needed to be done to ensure the safety of local children.
"Too often, motorists ignore the 40km/h signs during peak times and it's our local children that are put at risk," Ms O'Keeffe said.
"Building a safer crossing under the busy Goulburn Valley Highway is a common sense measure, and should be done right away."
