A project to widen Fernbank-Glenaladale Road will start today, the works aiming to improve the road to create safer access for residents and large and heavy vehicles on what is a main supply route for the agriculture sector.

The $1,485,220 project is partly funded by Agriculture Victoria’s Local Roads to Market Program. East Gippsland Shire Council is contributing more than $1.1 million towards the project.

Mayor, Cr Natalie O’Connell, said the project will support the area’s primary producers.

“This rural area is a food bowl, with Gippsland accounting for six of the top 10 salad producers in Australia,” Cr O’Connell said.

“About half of the nation’s baby leaf salad crops are grown locally, with the majority needing road transport to get to market. Large vehicles travel in and out of the district to move equipment, supplies and product.

“The total output of commodities for East Gippsland was $738.438 million (June 2018) consisting of fruit and vegetable crops, livestock (meat and products), bakery products, seafood, beverage and food support services. These industries, and our economy, rely on safe transport links to maximize our primary production and manufacturing potential.

“I am sure this project will be welcomed by residents and large vehicle operators, both in terms of safety and efficiency.”

The road widening will take around six months to complete.

“We will start at the intersection of Fernbank-Glenaladale Road and Bairnsdale-Dargo Road. There will be some traffic delays, but there will not be road closures,” Cr O’Connell said.

Works will occur between 7am to 5pm on weekdays. Impacted residents will be kept up to date throughout the project and given notice on any disruptions to vehicle access.