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Upgraded Old Melbourne road reopened to trafficSealing of stage-two of the Old Melbourne Road upgrade has been completed and the road has been reopened to traffic. By Latrobe Shire Council - 21st October 2004 - Back to News Old Melbourne Road serves as an important alternative collector road between Morwell and Traralgon, and a significant feature of the road upgrade has been the elimination of the S-bends around the Waterhole Creek area.
Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Darrell White, said the upgrade and realignment of Old Melbourne Road had improved road safety by removing the existing sharp curves, rises and depressions, and providing wider traffic lanes and sealed shoulders, resulting in a safer environment for motorists and cyclists.
Latrobe City’s Maintenance Engineer, Jey Vyravipillai, said that major culverts had been installed across Waterhole, Plough and Tandarra Creeks on the new alignment of the road; and road pavement and sealing work had been completed.
"The road pavement on the old alignment has also been removed and topsoiled, and the surface is being prepared for planting in Autumn," Mr Vyravipillai explained.
"The environment has been given top priority on this project, as the sensitive nature of the grassy woodland vegetation was well recognised.
"Willow and feral pines were removed from areas abutting the realignment to upgrade the creek environment, and riparian vegetation including additional paperbarks and sedges are being planted as part of the erosion control works.
"Water quality in Waterhole Creek will actually be improved as a result of the works to date and the creek bank restoration," Mr Vyravipillai said.
"Many tonnes of illegally dumped household rubbish including refrigerators and washing machines were also removed," he added.
Latrobe City’s Chief Executive Officer, Paul Buckley, said that importantly, the new road alignment had been chosen to minimise any impacts on the remnant grasslands which were considered more valuable than any trees needing to be removed.
"It is pleasing to note how well the environmental and engineering aspects of this project have been handled. I am sure motorists who use Old Melbourne Road on a regular basis will be delighted with the result, and feel that any inconvenience they’ve encountered while the work was undertaken was worthwhile," Mr Buckley said.
"Even more pleasing is the fact that stage-two of the Old Melbourne Road upgrade has been reopened to motorists ahead of schedule," Mr Buckley added.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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