Manningham Council has reached agreement with VicRoads for Council to take over management of King Street, between Blackburn Road and Victoria Street.
In a swap, VicRoads will in turn take over responsibility for the management of a section of Blackburn Road.
It is expected that the eastern section of King Street will come under the care and management of Council by the end of August 2016.
Manningham Mayor Cr Paul McLeish said the transfer of responsibility to Council means that the community’s long wait is over and there is now certainty that this section of King Street will finally be reconstructed.
“This is wonderful news for the community as King Street is a vital piece in the local road network that is ranked as the highest priority for construction in Council’s Link Road Strategy 2014.”
“King Street is basically a rural road in an urban environment, and Council, the King Street Reference Panel and the community have been advocating to the State Government for more than ten years to get this road upgraded to urban standard.”
Council has therefore budgeted to start upgrading this section of King Street in 2016/17, continuing works into the following financial year.
“The proposed road improvements and streetscape works will enhance the operation of the road, improving traffic, pedestrian and cyclist safety, as well as residential amenity. So it is great news that Council has been able to strike a deal that will finally enable construction to commence,” he said.
Under Council’s Contributory Projects Policy, Council will fund all costs associated with the upgrade of King Street, except for landscaping works, street trees, vehicle crossings not presently constructed, and 25 per cent of the cost of the footpath on the southern side of the street.
The preliminary estimated cost of the project is $6.75 million, with only $371,000 to be recovered from abutting owners through a proposed Special Charge.
“Council will fund 94 per cent of the project cost. When compared to other municipalities, this is a generous policy position that Council is offering,” he said.
