Great Alpine Road: Long-term fix option put forward by MP

East Gippsland residents are fuming about the condition of a major road which has been described as “horrendous” due to large potholes.

Ensay’s Barry Newcomen is well qualified to speak on the horrendous condition of the Great Alpine Road.

He can remember the road which runs past his farm and Hereford bull stud between Ensay and Swifts Creek being built six decades ago.

But frustration at the lack of action on repairing large potholes which have led to a speed restriction in front of his home for months prompted him to fire off letters to Regional Roads Victoria’s regional head office seeking action.

“The road here was constructed in the early 1960s and the foundations just can’t cope with the heavy traffic use of today,” he said.

“The alignment is good, but the foundations and surface are well below par.

“You’ve got log trucks coming up and down, you’ve got stock trucks going both ways, not to mention buses and caravans.

“It’s not just cars any more.”

Gippsland MP Darren Chester on the pothole riddled Great Alpine Road near Ensay.

The Victorian Government is responsible for the Great Alpine Road, but Gippsland MP and former Federal Transport Minister Darren Chester this week approached the federal and state governments to have it upgraded to a “Road of Strategic Importance” which could unlock a long-term funding fix.

“The Great Alpine Road has unlimited potential as a touring route for the visitor economy and is essential for the future of the agricultural sector and safe movement of local families,” he said.

“I have offered to work with both transport departments to negotiate a package of priority works and a rolling program of upgrades.

“I’ve delivered money for the road in the past, and I’m determined to do it again.”

Ensay’s Barry Newcomen has had a speed restriction near his home for about six months. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Craig Grinter, a third generation operator of an East Gippsland transport business, also has never seen the Great Alpine Road in worse condition.

He has followed his late grandfather Bill and father Tom into the industry and has three trucks using the road daily where dodging potholes rather than kangaroos and other wildlife is a constant concern for his drivers.

“It’s actually quite dangerous,” Mr Grinter said.

“It’s the worst I’ve ever seen it.

“It’s the whole road, not just isolated areas and it’s a wonder a truck hasn’t tipped over into the Tambo (River).

“We’re scrubbing out tyres and breaking windscreens all the time.

“Wildlife used to be the big problem, but not any more because the potholes are so big the wildlife gets lost down them.”

Swifts Creek ambulance and school bus driver Steve Crellin.

Swifts Creek’s Steve Crellin uses the road as a volunteer ambulance and school bus driver and CFA volunteer and says something needs to be done urgently.

“I know where most of the potholes are, but you don’t know where they all are,” he said.

“I generally try to drive up the middle of the road to be on the safe side.

“In a lot of places you can’t do the 120km/h you need to in an emergency because the road won’t let you.

“It will take another death to get things done, but they only seem to fix where the accident was and not the whole problem.”