Lancefield residents will have to deal with the “dangerous” state of the Lancefield-Kilmore Road for some time yet.
Upgrades to the section near Lancemore Hill have been delayed while VicRoads gets approval to remove two endangered varieties of grassland near the road.
VicRoads northern region regional director Brian Westley told Star Weekly the upgrades were “programmed for 2018-19”.
According to an email VicRoads sent to an inquiring resident, who posted it on Facebook, “the works were due to commence prior to November 2017”. The email said it would be 12-18 months before work could start on the damaged highway.
Fed-up Macedon Ranges residents continue to battle to improve the road’s harsh conditions.
Resident Andrew Moore said the “quite dangerous” road was “definitely” damaging cars, even with reduced speed limits in place.
The 100km/h speed limit has been dropped to 80km/h and 60km/h at certain points for almost a year, according to Mr Moore, who uses the road every week.
He said he couldn’t believe the upgrades were taking so long considering the road’s poor condition.
“When you’re on the road, you’re really looking for options about where you can actually plant your car in the lane without causing damage to it or going across the other side of the road,” he said.
Local cyclist Steve Xerri said the road was particularly a concern for the cyclists using the road.
“Because there’s so much damage, cars have to veer,” he said. “ Then, when cyclists are trying to avoid a pothole or a rough area, they’ve got to move into the path of vehicles.”
Mr Westley said the upgrades would provide a new asphalt surface.
The protected grassland vegetation delaying the upgrades has been identified as natural temperate and western (basalt) plains, according to VicRoads.
