Regional Victoria’s bad roads revealed in statewide poll

A statewide survey has uncovered some of Victoria’s worst roads — and there’s still time to vote for your least favourite.

Five of regional Victoria’s most potholed thoroughfares have been given a collective thumbs down by rural motorists in a pre-election poll.

Organised by the state Coalition, preliminary results from the online poll reveal the Great Alpine Road - which runs for more than 300 kilometres from Bairnsdale to Wangaratta — as one to avoid on a regional road trip.

online artwork june 29 bad roads

Also on the list of friendless thoroughfares includes the Melbourne-Lancefield Road, Paynesville Road and Traralgon-Maffra Road in Gippsland as well as Woods Point Road, which cuts through the Yarra Ranges.

Opposition roads spokeswoman Steph Ryan encouraged regional motorists to take part in the poll, which concludes next month.

“Labor’s deep cuts to road maintenance show Regional Roads Victoria is nothing more than a branding exercise for the Andrews Labor Government,” she said.

“Safe country roads save lives, but Labor’s Minister for city roads can’t see past Melbourne’s tram tracks.

“We are asking drivers across the state to keep voting for the most dangerous roads they see, so we can take this list straight to the Minister while he’s in Parliament.”

A spokeswoman for State Roads Minister Ben Carroll said nearly $755 million had been invested in maintaining Victorian roads during the 2021-22 financial year.

She said more than 1100 projects across regional Victoria had been bankrolled as part of the Andrews Government’s road maintenance blitz.

“When it comes to regional roads - the Liberal Nationals only did one thing - cut funding,” the spokeswoman said.

“Our record is clear - a pipeline of investment that’s more than ever before – keeping regional Victorians moving and providing safer and more reliable journeys.”