The Coalition has promised to invest $10 billion over 10 years in Victoria’s road network if it wins the state election in November.
Shadow Roads Minister Danny O’Brien said the policy would be delivered through the annual road asset management budget and see spending increased from around $600 million a year to $1 billion annually.
Mr O’Brien said that after almost a decade of the Andrews Government, neglect of Victoria’s roads had gone from bad to worse.
“The Andrews Labor Government has left Victoria’s road network crumbling, ignoring the genuine concern of road users across the state, in both the city and the country,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Labor cut the road maintenance budget by 10 per cent when it came to government and, on top of recent wet years, our roads have never recovered.
“This $10 billion investment will deliver longer-term contracts to promote innovation, give contractors certainty to invest in better equipment and allow for strategic maintenance planning.
“It means Victorians won’t have to put up with band-aid solutions that only last weeks or months until the next heavy rain.”
The Coalition said the policy would include a review of construction standards, increased accountability of VicRoads and contractors, and a reduction in “red and green tape” that escalates construction costs.
Nationals candidate for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe said her party was committed to delivering better, safer roads and would carry out long-term, strategic planning across the road network.
“Driving around the electorate I’ve seen first hand how dilapidated parts of our roads are, and it’s only getting worse,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
“You can see it on parts of Doyles Rd and the Goulburn Valley Hwy. These are roads people in the transport industry rely on for their livelihoods.
“We deserve better, and this commitment means our local roads will be better maintained.”
Liberal candidate for Shepparton Cheryl Hammer said there was not a corner of regional Victoria that did not have a road riddled with potholes.
“This commitment is to fix our roads, not just warn drivers to slow to 40km/h. It will give all road users some confidence in being safe on our roads,” she said.
“When the cost of Labor’s major projects in Melbourne blows out, it’s regional Victorians that miss out.”