Council has started work widening 18km of the narrow sealed section of Dunolly Road, part of a project that also includes widening and strengthening bridges and major culverts.
The widening project is part of council's 2019-20 Capital Works Program and
council has budgeted approximately $1.5 million for road, bridge, and culvert upgrades.
Council received $1.03 million in funding from round two of Regional Roads Victoria's Fixing Country Roads program for this project.
The first stage of the project will see Dunolly Road widened and road shoulders strengthened between the Sunraysia Highway and the Avoca River.
A majority of the shoulder work will be completed by mid-March and sealing of the widened sections will commence after the shoulder works are complete.
Only six trees are being removed as per the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) Native Vegetation Removal Regulations and in consultation with a Dja Dja Wurrung representative.
Once widening works are complete, council will begin strengthening the Strathfillan Creek bridge between Archdale and Lovel Roads during April and May 2020.
There are also culverts on Dunolly Road that require replacing as they are in a very poor condition. These works are proposed to take place during March.
Northern Grampians Shire Council Mayor, Murray Emerson, said the improvements will be worth the wait while the works are underway.
"We understand that these works will cause some delays when travelling along the road but every effort will be made to minimise the inconveniences," he said.
"It's important for the people in our growing region to be able to travel effectively and road upgrades like this mean residents of, and visitors to, the Northern Grampians Shire will be able to get around easily and safely."
"Better roads and improved infrastructure are the backbone of our plan of continuous improvement for the Northern Grampians region."
Detours will be required when undertaking the bridge and culvert works and lane closures will be required to undertake the shoulder widening works.
An Electronic Message Trailer will be put on site prior to the works commencing to give more up to date works duration and information.
Further updates on this project along with any other capital work projects are available on the Capital Works layer on our online map.
If you have any concerns regarding the works please contact Nic Murphy on 03 5358 8700.
