Facts and benefits
Who is responsible for Victoria’s roads
Freeways and Arterial Roads
Victoria’s freeway, arterial and municipal road network covers about 150,000 kms, with funding responsibility being shared between state, local, and federal government as well as private tollway operators. VicRoads manages most freeways and all arterial roads, which carry the majority of Victoria’s traffic.
See Road Classification for more information about Victoria's road network.
Facts and benefits of Victoria’s road network include:
- Approximately 150,000 kilometres of roads open for general traffic (from major freeways to minor local roads) and a further 50,000 kilometres of other minor roads and tracks in parks and forests.
- The 22,300 kilometres of freeways and arterial roads managed by VicRoads are valued at around $17 billion.
- The network carries more than 40 billion tonne-kilometres of freight and provides for 50 billion vehicle-kilometres of travel per annum.
- Almost all goods in the metropolitan area and more than 80 per cent of goods in country Victoria are transported by road.
- Much of the $230bn Victorian economy depends on the efficient and effective management of this vital community resource, including tourism.
- Efficient freight routes and links are essential to reduce the costs of transport to local and overseas markets.
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As a general guide roads can be divided into four main types although a small number of other roads (eg private roads) may not fall into these categories. Each type of road is the responsibility of either VicRoads, local Councils, Transurban or the Department of Sustainability and Environment.
| Major Type of Road |
Who is responsible |
|
Freeways;
Approx 840km
- Excluding the Melbourne CityLink tollway
|
VicRoads |
Arterial Roads*;
|
Operational responsibility
Including inspection, maintenance and repair of road infrastructure;
-
Through traffic lanes - VicRoads
-
Other (including service lanes, pathways and roadside areas) - Councils
Coordination responsibility
Including consents for road and infrastructure works and road closures - VicRoads |
Arterial Roads*;
- Areas other than urban areas**
|
Operational responsibility (not including pathways)
and
Coordination responsibility - VicRoads |
Freeway tollways;
Approximately 61km of privately operated tollways forming part of the overall Melbourne freeway system.
- Melbourne CityLink (22km)
- Eastlink (39km)
|
Transurban
Eastlink |
Municipal roads and other roads;
Approx 178,000 km
Municipal roads - 128,000 km (approx) of local roads in towns, suburbs and throughout country Victoria
Other minor roads and tracks in parks and forests - 50,000 km (approx) |
Local Governement (Councils) for municipal roads.
Department of Sustainability & Environment (DSE) including Parks Victoria for other minor roads and tracks in parks and forests.
|
* Arterial Roads total approximately 21,500 km collectively.
** Urban area - see definition in the
Road Management Act 2004.
Funding for the shared responsibilities of VicRoads and local Councils for the management, maintenance and improvements to the freeway, arterial road and municipal road components of Victoria's road network, come from Federal, State and Local Government sources. For a table showing an overview of funding arrangements see 'More Information and Services' at the end of this page.
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The majority of Victoria's traffic is carried on the road network of freeways and arterial roads. The road network links the centres of activity in rural and metropolitan areas to provide a safe, efficient and integrated road transport system for the economic and social benefit of the community.
VicRoads arranges for any upgrading of existing freeways (except tollways) and arterial roads and the construction of new roads that are to be added to the freeway and arterial road network. Such works may be necessary to accommodate changes in population size and location, and increased road use for freight, business and private travel.
VicRoads Register of Public Roads includes a listing of the freeways and arterial roads for which VicRoads has responsibilities.
Maps of Declared Roads is an interactive internet application that can be used to view, search and print electronic maps of roads in Victoria. It can also be used to identify the freeways and arterial roads referred to in VicRoads Register of Public Roads.
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