Black Spur work to continue over holidays

The Black Spur, Fernshaw. 207201 Picture: ROB CAREW

There will be no halts to tree removal works along the Black Spur during the school holidays due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

VicRoads had initially planned to stop works along the road during the holiday period but said it is now important to continue and complete essential works for the safety of those who use the road.

Since starting on 16 March, VicRoads has safely removed 34 trees along the Black Spur – with 64 still to come out, and an additional 28 needing to have large branches pruned.

These tree removals followed a series of serious incidents including a fatality, and is considered essential, given an arborist assessment identified that these trees needed to be removed as soon as possible.

With a range of restrictions now put in place to limit the spread of Covid-19 and save lives, the agency is looking to press on with tree removal works while it still can.

The revised program means the Black Spur will be closed between 9.30am-3.30pm on the following days:

Monday 30 March – Wednesday 1 April

Monday 6 April – Thursday 9 April

Monday 13 April – Thursday 16 April

Monday 20 April – Thursday 23 April

Monday 27 April – Thursday 30 April

VicRoads will provide an update of how the works are progressing in two weeks.

While the road has been closed for tree removal, work has also begun on motorcycle safety improvements including the extension of a safety barrier at a high-risk location near Dom Dom Saddle.

For more information, visit the VicRoads www.vicroads.vic.gov.au and go to Planning and Projects.