Safety upgrades underway on two key Gippsland roads are set to improve freight reliability, reduce crash risk and strengthen access for regional industries and communities.
Twenty-seven kilometres of Moe-Glengarry Road between Newborough and Glengarry and 21 kilometres of Main-Neerim Road between Rokeby and Noojee are receiving a suite of safety improvements to support safer, smoother travel for all road users, including heavy vehicles servicing the region.
Works include sealing road shoulders, side-road entries, and vehicle pull-over areas, along with upgraded line markings and signage to improve visibility and road-edge definition. These changes are significant for freight operators, reducing the risk of run-off-road incidents and improving vehicle stability on narrow regional routes.
Main-Neerim Road will also receive upgraded safety barriers and a reduced speed limit of 80 km/h between Old Sale Road in Drouin West and Bloomfield Road in Crossover. New safety barriers will be installed along Moe-Glengarry Road.
Minister for Regional Development and Local Government Kristy McBain said the investment recognised the importance of these routes to regional communities and industry.
“Our communities deserve safer roads and the Australian Government, partnering with the Victorian Government, is delivering that through critical investments in the regional network,” McBain said. “Knowing the history of these roads, it’s our absolute priority to build and update infrastructure that prevents serious crashes and supports the people who rely on these key routes every day.”
Both roads play a vital role in connecting farmland, energy infrastructure and local businesses to essential services, including access to the Yallourn Power Station, agricultural operations and tourism routes leading to Mount Baw Baw. Improving safety and road surface conditions also supports more consistent freight movements, particularly for agricultural and energy-related transport tasks.
Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne said the upgrades would benefit workers and industry as well as local residents.
“By investing in these vital upgrades, we’re ensuring that these two key routes are safer for everyone travelling through the region – whether you’re a local, working for industry or a visitor,” Horne said.
The $9.26 million investment, jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian governments under the Road Safety Program, aims to reduce crash severity, improve traction by removing loose gravel and help drivers maintain control if vehicles leave the carriageway.
Federal Senator for Victoria Raff Ciccione said the improvements would strengthen regional connectivity.
“This investment recognises how critical these routes are to local communities, industry and tourism, and it backs Gippsland with the infrastructure it deserves,” Ciccione said.
Temporary lane closures and reduced speed limits will be in place during construction, with motorists encouraged to follow traffic controller directions and allow extra travel time while works progress.