The North East's most deadly stretch of road is finally getting an upgrade.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Murray Valley Highway, which is the third worst road for fatalities in the state, will receive a $1.1 million upgrade as part of the state government's $85 million road maintenance blitz.
Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the upgrades will start at Huon, east of Wodonga where crews will rebuild traffic lanes in both directions on a 600-metre section of the highway between Bonegilla Road and Huon-Kiewa Road.
The existing road pavement will be removed and a new base of crushed rock will be placed down before the surface is spray sealed, ensuring the highway is stronger and safer.
A further 650-metre section will also be improved at Berringama between Nugents Road and Lucyvale Road.
Over the past five years, an average of 4.6 lives have been lost on the Murray Valley Highway each year.
The Western Highway and the Midland Highway in Melbourne are the only two other roads that are more dangerous, according to fatality data.
"We're delivering a massive program of works in north east Victoria this maintenance season - rebuilding and resurfacing more than 250 kilometres of roads along key routes like the Hume Freeway, Murray Valley Highway and Melba Highway," Ms Symes said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"These upgrades will allow residents and freight drivers to have smoother and safer journeys on one of the region's busiest roads."
An average of 2800 vehicles, of which 15 per cent are heavy vehicles, use the Murray Valley Highway each day at Huon, while an average of 580 vehicles, of which 10 per cent are heavy vehicles, use the highway at Berringama.
The works at Huon started this week and are expected to take four weeks to complete.
Works at Berringama are expected to start in March and will also take about four weeks to complete.