Speaking in state Parliament recently, Ms Lovell asked Roads Minister Ben Carroll to order a safety audit on the road by Regional Roads Victoria, after receiving complaints from constituents.
In her contribution, Ms Lovell said the stretch of road in question was just over 15km in length and ran from the Midland Hwy to the Bendigo-Murchison Rd.
“A safety audit of this section of the Heathcote-Rochester Rd is urgently needed because the road is a major route for heavy vehicles transporting freight, as well as those using the quarry, and it is also home to numerous wineries popular with tourists,” Ms Lovell said.
“Locals are concerned about the current condition of the road and the minister needs to listen to these concerns and identify upgrades that are needed to improve safety for all road users.”
Ms Lovell said she had been informed the shoulders needed to be repaired to widen the road and improve safety for motorists and cyclists.
In her constituency question to Mr Carroll, Ms Lovell urged him to listen to the concerns of her constituents and ensure the safety audit was conducted to identify any safety upgrades that were required.
Mr Carroll said RRV was keeping an eye on the stretch of road.
“We know safe and reliable roads are critical to regional Victorian communities, particularly when it comes to our freight industry, and that supports local economies — that's why we've invested more than any government ever before on regional road maintenance,” he said.
“Expert crews from Regional Roads Victoria continuously carry out road safety, maintenance and hazard inspections across the entire arterial regional road network — including on Heathcote-Rochester Rd at least twice a week.”
In June 2020, temporary variable message signage boards were installed advising drivers of a reduced 80km/h speed limit, and ‘rough surface’ warning signs are still in use on this section of the road.
