Motorists are being warned by the Department of Transport to carefully plan their journeys before leaving as hundreds of roads remain closed or damaged across Victoria.
Victoria’s flood emergency has caused significant damage to roads in the Shepparton, Mooroopna, Orrvale, Murchison, Echuca and Kerang areas, but the department said roads in all areas had been impacted by the weather to some degree.
In the department’s latest report issued on Tuesday, November 1, 479 roads were closed across the state. All current road closures are listed at traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au
“The road network has suffered significant damage with large potholes and sections of road destroyed,” the department said.
“Crews right across Victoria have mobilised and have assessed more than 2100 roads and have repaired almost 54,600 potholes, however significant damage remains.”
Motorists are urged to drive with extreme caution and with an expectation the road surface will be damaged, leaving extra distance between vehicles to provide a better view of the road ahead.
The department has also reminded drivers of the dangers of driving through road closures and into floodwater.
Major road closures include:
- Barmah-Shepparton Rd between Barmah and Shepparton
- Murray Valley Hwy between Nathalia and Wyuna
- Roads in and around Nathalia, including Katamatite-Nathalia Rd between Waaia and Nathalia, Oakes Rd, Lancaster Ave, Nathalia-Waaia Rd and Walshs Bridge Rd between Nathalia and Kaarimba.
- Many roads in and out of Kerang, including the Murray Valley Hwy from Kerang to Lake Charm, Old Echuca Rd from Tragowel to Kerang, Kerang-Quambatook Rd, Leitchville-Kerang Rd and Koroop Rd from Kerang to Koroop.
- Boort-Kerang Rd, Boort
- Boort-Wedderburn Rd between Boort and Mysia East
- Charlton Rd between St Arnaud and Charlton
- Several roads around Jarrahmond, Orbost and Marlo, including Lochend Rd, Corringle Rd and Healeys Rd
Recent road re-openings include:
- Loddon Valley Hwy from Kerang to Bendigo
- Echuca-Kyabram Rd
- Marlo Rd, Orbost
- Katamatite-Nathalia Rd between Numurkah and Katamatite
- Sea Lake-Swan Hill Rd between Sea Lake and Swan Hill
- Calder Hwy between Charlton and Wycheproof
- Valencia Creek-Briagalong Rd, Briagalong
- Many roads in and around Swan Hill
V/Line service impacts
Victoria’s Department of Transport has also issued an update on train services, saying there are little impacts on the Ballarat/Ararat/Maryborough, Geelong/Warrnambool, Seymour, Albury, Bendigo and Gippsland lines.
It has warned passengers, though, to check the PTV or V/Line websites before travelling.
- Train services have resumed on the Shepparton Line between Southern Cross and Shepparton.
- Echuca Line train services are operating between Southern Cross and Bendigo, with replacement coaches between Bendigo and Echuca.