ACT Government increases funding for road repairs

The Australian Capital Territory Government will significantly increase maintenance funding to $153 million over the next four years, in a new strategic maintenance program to repair and preserve Canberra’s roads for a generation.

The program has been developed based on research undertaken by the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) to support a new, strategic approach to maintenance, which will support freight movements and improve safety and ACT’s liveability.

The research-led approach aims to extend the life of Canberra’s existing high-quality roads through proactive resealing, while undertaking more rehabilitation work including using an up to 150 per cent increase in asphalting.

Minister for Transport and City Services, Chris Steel, said the new road maintenance program represents a 52 per cent increase in expenditure on road maintenance.

“This maintenance program is evidencebased and will have a greater focus road rehabilitation and use of asphalt, as well as ensuring that we continue our focus on preventative resealing,” he said.

“With the annual road resurfacing program now underway, this new maintenance program will extend the life of Canberra’s roads by 20 years through additional resealing measures adopted across our rolling roads program.

“And investing now will reduce road maintenance costs in the long term.”

Increased investment in Canberra’s annual road maintenance program will now see resurfacing of the network grow by 268,000 square metres a year to cover an area of 1.26 million square metres resurfaced per year going forward, concentrating on arterial and collector roads.

Steel said the challenging climate, heavier vehicles and greater than anticipated ACT population growth had accelerated road degradation and the likelihood of defects such as potholes.

“It’s no secret that roads across southeastern Australia have taken an absolute battering over the past few years with constant La Nina weather cycles,” he said.

“Since 2020, Canberra has continued to experience heavy and frequent rain events.

“In October, we experienced Canberra’s wettest month since records began, with more than 2,800 pothole repairs undertaken across the Territory in that month alone.

“This long term program will see smoother, more resilient roads, that result in safer travel and better drivability, meaning Canberra drivers will save on fuel and vehicle maintenance.”

ARRB CEO, Michael Caltabiano, said the ACT Government isn’t taking any shortcuts in the project.

“Our research looked at the condition of the ACT’s roads, and the investment and treatments required to ensure that they are well-maintained over the coming decades,” he said.

“Based on our research, the ACT Government has chosen the highest cost and highest quality option which will deliver good road conditions in Canberra over the years ahead.”

The new funding includes funding under the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.

NSW advances in fully sealed highway network

A decade-long project to completely seal 153 kilometres of the Silver City Highway in New South Wales has been achieved.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Sam Farraway, said NSW is now one step closer to a fully sealed highway network.

“The completion of construction and sealing on the Silver City Highway is an incredible milestone for people living in the Far West of NSW, not to mention the many freight operators and tourists who use the road every year,” he said.

“The NSW Government is building the infrastructure that matters to make daily life easier for regional communities and our $195 million investment to seal this vitally important highway is just one example of how we’re doing that.”

Farraway said the Highway is a vital north-south connection between Victoria and Queensland, with sections closed for up to 70 days a year due to poor weather.

“A sealed highway not only means quicker, safer journeys for all road users but will also mean it can stay open more often when the region experiences extreme weather.

“Sealing the Cobb Highway remains the final piece in the puzzle for a fully-sealed highway network, which is due to be completed mid-2023.”

The NSW Government is providing $145 million to seal and upgrade the existing unsealed sections on the Cobb and Silver City Highways in Western NSW.

All remaining sections of the Silver City Highway have been completed, and 10.9 kilometres remains to be sealed on the Cobb Highway.