Benjamin Millar
The long-awaited upgrade of an unsealed stretch of road in Mt Cottrell will soon get underway with plans revealed for the $5.1 million Boundary Road sealing project.
A 4.3-kilometre stretch of the road from Mt Cottrell Road to The Mall will be sealed as part of Melton’s program to upgrade some of the more than 100 kilometres of unsealed road in the municipality due to increased traffic.
Intersections at Downing and Faulkners Roads will also be upgraded.
A council document outlining the plans notes that Boundary Road is currently an unsealed rural road running along the southern boundary of the municipality, with the council sharing responsibility with Wyndham for maintenance and capital works.
“This business case presents the need for the road to be constructed to a sealed rural standard,” it states.
“With the increased traffic volumes in the area as a result of population growth and the sealing of Mt Cottrell Road, the exposure to risk is increasing.”
The document notes that the currently unsealed road has poor traction, which can pose risks, particularly in wet weather, as Boundary Road operates at a 80km/h speed limit.
Other issues include pot holes as a result of the high volumes of traffic and dust polluting the air, settling over nearby homes and any clothes left out on washing lines.
The report also notes the increased servicing required for cars regularly using the road and potential for damage.
“Loose stones on unsealed roads are also a concern to residents as they can be projectiles launched from road traffic and cause windscreen and body paint damage to vehicles,” it states.
“The construction of Boundary Road to a sealed rural standard will address all the above impacts.”
The upgrade will require the removal of protected flora including about 300-350 spear-grass specimens as well as wallaby grass, windmill grass, grey roly-poly, kangaroo grass and fragrant saltbush.
