By Mikayla van Loon
Road improvement works will soon commence on a section of Victoria Road after Yarra Ranges Council approved the appointment of a contractor.
Planning to conduct pavement reconstruction, kerb and channel replacement, subsoil drainage, asphalt and line marking works, the program has been split into two stages.
The first stage will see improvements from Macintyre Lane Yering to Davidson Drive Coldstream, while the second stage will include the section from Davidson Drive Coldstream to driveway of 193 Victoria Road Coldstream.
This rehabilitation project was included as part of Yarra Ranges Council’s Capital Expenditure Program for 2022-2024 to renew the entire stretch from Macintyre Lane Yering to The Gateway Lilydale.
The first two stages of the project were put out to tender, with Silvan based contractor TDM Earthworks recommended as the suitable choice, with the cost of the rehabilitation works totalling $1.6 million.
“I’m very pleased to see this come before us tonight and I know it is a substantial amount of money, it always knocks my socks off how much it costs us to do this road rehabilitation but certainly Victoria Road has needed work for some time,” Councillor Fiona McAllister said at the council meeting on Tuesday 31 January.
“It is a main thoroughfare and with the speeds and the volume of traffic, it’s absolutely due for the rehabilitation works, so what we have before us tonight is the letting of the contract for the works to commence and the timing of that listed in the report as well.”
Funding from the Federal government was committed to completing the project which is due to commence on Monday 13 February, with the expected completion date of 21 March.
“The outcome of this decision tonight…is that works can commence on the construction and rehabilitation of a road that absolutely needs it,” Cr McAllister said.
Seconding the motion Cr Andrew Fullagar said it had come to council meeting because of the high value and “needs council endorsement” and “I commend the team for their fastidious conduct of this process and I’m satisfied the right candidate has been awarded the contract.”
The motion was carried unanimously by all councillors. Yarra Ranges Council said it would inform residents and businesses along Victoria Road Coldstream/Yering of the works prior to commencement.
