The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath said it will come to no surprise to Latrobe Valley residents that Traralgon Maffra Road has been name as the fourth most dangerous road.
The road which connects Latrobe City to Wellington Shire was awarded its title from thousands of votes in The Nationals and Liberals worst road poll that was conducted statewide.
“A crumbling road surface, low cost and inadequate repairs and dangerous shoulders earned Traralgon Maffra Road the title of Victoria’s fourth worst road”, said Ms Bath.
“My office regularly receives complaints about safety on Traralgon Maffra Road from residents and transport drivers.
“Despite the importance of this road, it has suffered from years of under investment by the Andrews Labor Government.
“Latrobe Valley residents are forced to navigate serious roads safety hazards and put up with an unacceptable standard of roads maintenance and repairs.
“Labor has slashed over $215 million from the road’s maintenance budget in the past two years alone.
“Locals are tired of hearing about the billions being wasted on Melbourne infrastructure projects when our regional roads are being neglected.”
Road trauma statistics released in June showed a 30 per cent increase in road deaths in the past year for regional Victorians, while in contrast Melbourne experienced a two per cent decrease in road deaths.
The Traralgon Maffra Road is classified by VicRoads as a ‘C Class Road, which means it should be sealed with shoulders to support the linkage of population centres.
The Nationals candidate for Morwell, Martin Cameron said safety on Traralgon Maffra Road was an ongoing frustration for locals who rely on it for their daily commute.
“It connects Latrobe Valley’s small towns, acts as an important transport network to get goods to market from Gippsland producers as well as being a tourism route to access the high country,” said Mr Cameron.
“Labor’s ongoing neglect of our regional roads must be addressed – we pay the same taxes as people living in the city, Latrobe Valley residents deserve their fair share.
“Recently I inspected some of the worst areas of the Traralgon Maffra Road between Traralgon and Toongabbie with Shadow Minister for Roads, Danny O’Brien and Melina Bath.
“Seeing the poor state of the road up close is quite something – finding a safe place to pull over was a real challenge – highlighting the dangers that must be navigate a flat tyre on this road it would be treacherous.
“Lowering of the speed limit to 80 kilometres and scraping roadside grass are no fix for the multiple safety issues on Traralgon Maffra Road.
“The Nationals in government will bring back the Country Roads and Bridges program while also introducing a 25 per cent infrastructure guarantee to ensure Latrobe Valley receives its fair share.”
