By Jed Lanyon
There is still no return date scheduled for roadworks to resume along the Maroondah Highway between Coldstream and Healesville after works were halted throughout winter due to poor weather conditions.
An “Unseasonably wet spring” is being blamed for the delay as the Department of Transport slated a Spring return and a December finish for the road upgrade.
The project will see four intersections upgraded with new turning lanes as well as the installation of flexible safety barriers at high-risk locations, and a lowered speed limit of 80km/h.
The Department of Transport’s director for safer roads, Scott Lawrence, explained why works were yet to resume.
“The Maroondah Highway is a key connection for tourists and communities but this section also has a significant crash history which is why we’re upgrading it – to save lives and prevent serious injuries,” he said.
“We’ve installed eight kilometres of safety barrier and intersection improvements have begun, however an unseasonably wet spring has unfortunately further dampened road building conditions.
“We apologise for any inconvenience and will keep the community updated when we return to site in the coming weeks.”
Works are expected to recommence when improved weather and ground conditions permit earthworks, sealing, line marking and remaining barrier installation to continue.
For now, temporary traffic management is in place and has allowed the speed limit to be raised to 80 km/h throughout the duration of the roadworks. A short section of the highway near Domaine Chandon Winery has a temporary speed limit of 60 km/h to allow safe access to the winery until construction recommences.
“Roadworks in other locations did not cease during winter, it makes no sense that Maroondah Highway has been suspended for this long,” Ms McLeish said. “We were told roadworks would resume in spring, yet nothing is happening.
“We are quickly approaching the peak trade and tourism season for the Yarra Valley. Now Covid-19 restrictions are beginning to ease, people will be traveling along the Maroondah Highway to holiday destinations. The road needs to be ready.”
The Department of Transport identified the Maroondah Highway between Coldstream and Healesville as a high-risk route with 13 people being seriously injured and three people losing their lives in crashes between July 2013 and December 2018.
