Victorian Government Pledges to Double Pothole Repairs to 500,000 at $352 Million Cost

In short:

The Victorian government is promising to double the number of potholes it fixes in the state's roads this year.

The number will rise from 250,000 to 500,000 at a cost of $352 million.

The extra work will be partly funded by the delaying of three level crossing removals at Highett and Mentone.

The Victorian government is promising to double the number of potholes it fixes on the state's roads this year.

The Carroll government is pledging to fix 500,000 potholes by the end of January, up from 250,000 it previously committed to fixing.

The plan will cost $352 million, on top of more than $1 billion dollars already budgeted for road maintenance.

The issue is becoming a significant election issue, particularly for regional Victorians.

Some regional Victorians have complained they've had to spend registration rebates on fixing tyre damage caused by potholes.

Earlier this month, dozens of cars were forced off the road after hitting large potholes that opened up along the Princes Freeway at Bunyip in Victoria's east.

Premier Ben Carroll said the additional spending was justified given the extent of the problem.

"This is absolutely where Victorians want to see their money spent — it is my priority," he said.

"The condition of our roads is not good enough.

"I respect your money and I have made commonsense decisions to show how we can afford it."

The government said the extra spending will be partly funded by delaying the completion of three level crossing removals — at Highett Rd and Wickham Rd in Highett and Latrobe St in Mentone — by one year

The government said the work will commence over the coming weeks, as rain reduces and will continue into early next year.

Road crews will target key arterial roads across the state — including the Geelong Ring Road, Western Highway, Calder Highway and Princes Highway — plus regional roads.

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson last month announced her party would spend $5 billion over four years on road maintenance if elected.