Alexandra Newspapers

3 days ago

MELBA HIGHWAY WORKS

A Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson said, “Any death on our roads is a tragedy and our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted.

“We'll work with Victoria Police to understand the circumstances and to provide support to the investigation where required.”

The following information was also provided:

The safety of everyone travelling on our roads is a priority.

The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) is completing critical landslip repairs on a section of the Melba Highway in Dixons Creek between Healesville-Kinglake Road and Hunts Lane.

Works involve excavating and removing the damaged road pavement, building retaining walls, reinstating and stabilising the road asphalt layers, improving drainage and reinstating safety barriers, signs and line marking.

The impacted section of the Melba Highway will be closed to traffic at all times from 7am Monday 17 February to the end of March, with timing subject to weather conditions.

Crews will be working everyday with extended working hours to complete repair works as quickly as possible.

A road closure is required to ensure the safety of road workers, and drivers are encouraged to use a signed detour via Healesville-Kinglake Road and Healesville-Yarra Glen Road.

To ensure the safety of road users using Healesville-Kinglake Road and Healesville-Yarra Glen Road during works, we are implementing various safety measures and mitigations including:

A restriction on Healesville-Kinglake Road for semitrailer combinations, rigid truck and trailer combinations, or vehicles with a length greater than 19m. Heavy vehicle operators are advised to plan ahead using the NHVR National Network Map.

Regular monitoring of the detour routes, including inspections to identify any potential hazards and to appropriately maintain the road network in accordance to the Road Management Plan.

Additional signage

A temporary 60km/h speed limit on Healesville-Kinglake Road between Toolangi and Chum Creek

Traffic controllers will be stationed on both ends of Healesville-Kinglake Road during the first week to determine what level of intervention needs to be maintained on the Chum Creek end and will assess the need for traffic controllers to intervene.

As part of these works, we’ve introduced static signage advising local access only on certain roads in the area, as well as signage advising heavy vehicles to check the National Network Map prior to travelling.

Traffic management remains in place along the detour routes, along with turnaround points for heavy vehicles who may accidentally travel too close to closures.

We are contacting freight operators to remind them of the restrictions in place for heavy vehicles.

Access for emergency services is being maintained for the majority of these works, with traffic controllers on-site 24/7 at the Melba Highway works.

There may be times where emergency services access will be impacted due to heavy machinery in operation, and emergency services will be notified if there are any impacts to access.

DTP will continue to work closely with emergency services to manage traffic movements in the area, in the event of an emergency.

We encourage drivers to always remain alert, drive to conditions and obey all road signage and speed limits. ... See MoreSee Less