ROADWORKS next year at Lorne are set to kickstart a $50 million maintenance program for the Great Ocean Road.
Almost two kilometres on the eastern outskirts of Lorne between Stony Creek and the roundabout at Deans Marsh Road, will be reconstructed to repair potholes and rough sections of pavement.
Victorian Roads Minister Terry Mulder and Corangamite MHR Sarah Henderson plumped the road package yesterday, saying the Great Ocean Road was visited by thousands of tourists from all over the world and its upkeep critical.
“This $1.2 million project is a high priority, due to the ever increasing number of tourists and residents using this stretch of road,” Ms Henderson said.
“Approximately 5000 vehicles drive on this road every day, and this number is expected to climb as the road continues to attract tourists from all over the world.
“We have worked with the community and VicRoads to select this location and are looking at other potential sites for road resurfacing works.”
Ms Henderson said the Great Ocean Road was a key Victorian tourist route used by high volumes of local and tourist traffic all year round. It was an important route for the local freight industry and needed ongoing maintenance.
Mr Mulder said greater maintenance was needed to retain the road’s national iconic status.
“This location has been constantly pounded by traffic particularly when large events occur like Pier to Pub. It is also a wetter area due to its close proximity to the Otways and of course the ocean, which has degraded the road surface,” he said.
The works are planned to begin at an unspecified time next year.
