The section of the Goulburn Valley Hwy near Koonoomoo, called ‘the Bends’ locally, has caused frustration within the community after temporary measures were installed following a truck crash in 2023.
The accident, which involved a truck slamming into the roadside barrier, led to the closure of one lane and the installation of temporary traffic lights.
These measures are still in place as the department works on finding a permanent solution, infuriating a local resident who asked not to be named due to his job.
According to that person, VicRoads told him a new railing was being designed, and it could take three months to manufacture and install.
The resident said the temporary lights were prone to malfunctioning, and he feared there would be a disastrous accident if something wasn’t done sooner.
These traffic light malfunctions have since been confirmed by Cobram police.
The resident said something needed to be done to open up both lanes and prevent a crash along a busy stretch of road, which sees thousands of vehicles travel each day to and from NSW.
He said he couldn’t understand why it was taking so long to open up the two lanes.
“I cannot fathom why the decision was not made to temporarily replace the damaged railing with the three-tonne concrete barriers already present at the site,” the resident said.
“If they were placed across the opening, and pushed into place then secured to the bridge decking, both lanes could remain open and no ineffective traffic management would be required... It’s a load of hogwash.”
Department of Transport and Planning for Loddon Mallee and Hume executive director Anthony Judd issued a statement assuring residents the department was working on the issue.
“We’re in the process of installing new steel railing along this section of the Goulburn Valley Hwy,” the statement read.
According to the department, timelines associated with the project are due to the custom fabrication of steel railing and the two lanes are planned to be reopened in mid-2024.
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