CONSTRUCTION of the first Calder Highway overtaking lane north of Bendigo could start by June.

Victoria’s Transport Department has applied for a Loddon Shire planning permit to remove trees at Derby for the southbound lane.

The overtaking lane between Gath Rd and Connor Road is one of two planned to be finished by 2024.

The Federal Government has given $75 million for upgrades on the Calder Highway/Freeway between Melbourne and Mildura “to address identified pinch points in the corridor”.

Department regional director (Loddon Mallee) Melanie Hotton said: “Crews will soon build a new overtaking lane on the Calder Highway at Derby to improve traffic flow and create safer and easier journeys for all road users.

“The new overtaking lane will boost safety by providing easier overtaking opportunities for those travelling south-bound between Bridgewater and Marong,” she said.

“The works will make this section of the Calder Highway, which is a key route for both locals and our broader agricultural industry, safer for everyone.”

A second overtaking lane is planned on the Calder Highway, north-bound, between Yorkshire Road and Houliston Road in Leichhardt, with works expected to start next year.

The department said the two new overtaking lanes had an $8.46 million Australian Government investment as part of the Melbourne to Mildura Roads of Strategic Importance Initiative with the Victorian Government delivering the project.

Scoping and development works for the corridor started early 2021.

Tranche one works, including the Derby overtaking lane, had been marked to start last year. Other projects are an overtaking lane at Hattah and works at Red Cliffs and Sea Lake.

The Federal Government has allocated a total of $12.4 million for overtaking lanes between Melbourne and Mildura.

Friday 3rd March 2023 10.30am

Farm Machinery, Equipment & Sundries

A/C Jeff D Cox

Onsite: 159 Cox’s Road, Wooroonook, Charlton

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT: Cougar Steiger ST 280 Tractor (13064Hrs), 325 HP, 1982 “Snoopy” 3388 Case Tractor (9000Hrs), 2008 Case Puma 140 tractor with Howard Q65 FEL (5750Hrs)

FWA, complete with Trimble Ez Pilot auto steer &1050 screen, 1970 Chamberlain MK4 FEL 236 Perkins MTR, 1971