Arabic version: فيكتوريا تتعهد بإصلاح 500 ألف حفرة هذا العام

According to ABC News, the Victorian government is promising to double the number of potholes repaired on state roads this year. The Carroll government has pledged to fix 500,000 potholes by the end of January, compared with its previous commitment of 250,000.

The additional 250,000 repairs will cost $352 million, supplementing more than $1 billion already budgeted for road maintenance. The government said work would begin in the coming weeks as rain reduces and continue into early next year.

Crews will focus on key arterial routes including the Geelong Ring Road, Western Highway, Calder Highway and Princes Highway, as well as regional roads. Road conditions have become a significant election issue, particularly in regional Victoria, where some residents have said registration rebates were spent repairing tyre damage caused by potholes.

Premier Ben Carroll said the extra spending was justified by the condition of the roads. The government said part of the funding would come from delaying by one year the completion of three level crossing removals: Highett Road and Wickham Road in Highett, and Latrobe Street in Mentone. Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has announced her party would spend $5 billion over four years on road maintenance if elected.