The route chosen by Regional Roads Victoria to divert trucks out of Rutherglen's main street has been met with shock and frustration.
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Letters were delivered to Scott and Reid street residents on Wednesday, advising of the route that during the day would divert trucks from the Main Street roundabout onto their streets, through to Rutherglen-Wahgunyah Road, Federation Way, and ultimately onto the Murray Valley Highway.
Despite RRV having heard from "more than 500 community members" through an online survey and public sessions, Barry Warren said Wednesday's letter was the first he'd learned Reid Street was being considered.
"I've been up and down the street a couple times this morning, and everyone's just dumbfounded," he said.
"They say there's been consultation - and I haven't found one person.
"All they are doing is moving the problem from the main street, to another street.
"You've got the biggest carpark in the Rutherglen which is for the post office and IGA, and on the opposite side you have 15 units mainly occupied by elderly people, who have to cross [Reid Street] to go to the supermarket.
"It's ridiculous."
Nick Hawtin, who lives further along the route on Scott Street, has locked in a meeting with RRV on Tuesday.
"They have told us that it's done and dusted - but we've had no consultation on my street," he said.
"I don't want trucks out of town - I'm a truck driver's son - but putting them down the side street is a recipe for disaster.
"I've got kids, so do my neighbours, and you have Barkly Park that has Auskick, netball and football."
Mr Warren, who will circulate a petition opposing the route, questions how the $4 million funding - which has also been used for planning - will be enough to make the affected intersections safe.
"If they do have $3 million left over, that's not going to cover it," he said.
"The [High Street] roundabout as it is has to be pulled down, I'm sure of it - a B-Double has trouble getting up the main street, let alone doing the full circle."
Roger Farrell, a SES member, said similar about Federation Way, and doubted how well the curfew would work, which RRV states will be enforced "in cooperation with Victoria Police".
"There have been a number of accidents at both ends of Federation Way, those junctures are certainly in need of improvement," he said.
"They're going to all the trouble to move the trucks 50 yards - from one street which is commercial, to another street which is residential."
Hundreds of negative comments about the alternative route, which had to utilise an existing road network, were shared on social media on Thursday.
Roberta Horne, who gathered petitions in the wake of then-Federal Transport Minister Darren Chester announcing funding in June 2016, said the route "doesn't make sense".
"When they came back for that second lot of consultation, after nearly 100 petitions saying people wanted the route to go on Up River Road, I thought, 'Why are you asking again?'," she said.
"We're not going to get anymore money - this is going to have to do us for 30 or 40 years, and we're no safer than we were when we got the money."
Adding to contention over what the alternative route should be, has been decades of campaigning by the community for a proper bypass - something that frustrates Barry Miller, who will also be affected by the chosen route.
"Over the years it's been misconstrued - and as time goes by they think we're going to be complacent, but we're not," he said.
"Safety was the initial concern, and safety's still going to be an issue here."
RRV says more than 20 heavy vehicle alternative route options underwent assessment.
North Eastern regional director Steve Bowmaker said in a statement his organisation had "worked closely with the Rutherglen community" to find a solution.
"The Alternative Route eases congestion at the busiest times and improves access to the central business district for residents, tourists, pedestrians and cyclists," he said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"Improving safety in Rutherglen has been at the forefront of this project since day one, which is why we're consulting with Indigo Shire Council, residents, community organisations and business owners on any safety-related upgrades including speed limit, pedestrian crossings, lighting, line-marking and footpaths that might be introduced on the alternative route."
Meetings start from next week to gauge ideas for safety improvements along the alternative route.