By Aaron Cordy
NAVIGATING Goulburn Valley’s unpredictable road conditions can truly put drivers to the test. Unexpected obstacles like sudden potholes may appear, demanding an immediate decision – should one keep up with the existing speed or subtly decrease it, potentially drawing pressure from tail-gating traffic? These crucial decisions, made within split seconds, can greatly impact the safety and well-being of every family journeying along these roads.
While River Road and Doyles Road are more commonly known as The Truck Route, one trip around the bend from Kialla to Shepparton and it’s easy to see trucks are not the primary users of the road. The heavy traffic along the road with the overburdened loads has created one of the more uneven and pothole-ridden patches in the Goulburn Valley despite extensive work on the road over the last two years. Over 30 potholes and rough patches litter the road, not including the mismatch in the sections that have been resurfaced and make a ‘thunk’ every time your tyres cross over them.
In a spate of patch jobs and resurfacing that is taking place across Shepparton, Kialla and Mooropna, some of the worst potholes were filled in along River Road in recent weeks, but round the bend to Doyles Road and it’s back to the cheese grater effect locals are used to. Enduring an extensive amount of vehicle damage while putting motorists and their families at risk.
The Liberal Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has added her voice to the unanswered call for better roads in the Goulburn Valley, stating the Katamatite-Shepparton Road and the Goulburn Valley Highway between Wahring and Arcadia, [the latter was previously reported on by The Adviser.]
“While Labour cuts their roads maintenance budget, tragically Victorians continue to die on country roads and I call on the Minister to fix these roads now,” said Ms Lovell.
Yet words and shonky patch jobs fall short as residents and victors are continually forced to risk our treacherous roads and pay the too-high price.
