Victoria will double the number of potholes it plans to repair this year under a $352 million funding boost aimed at improving some of the state’s most heavily damaged roads.

The State Government says the additional spending will increase its repair target from 250,000 to 500,000 potholes, with much of the work scheduled for the second half of the year and into January when warmer, drier conditions are more suitable for road repairs.

Major routes including the Princes Highway, Western Highway, Calder Highway and Geelong Ring Road will be among those targeted, alongside regional roads suffering from deteriorating surfaces.

Line of cars stuck in heavy traffic on a wet highway, rain-soaked road and reflections visible, photo taken from inside a car window.
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The announcement follows several incidents involving potholes damaging vehicles, including one on the Princes Highway near Bunyip, about 75km southeast of Melbourne.

At least 23 vehicles reportedly struck the Bunyip pothole during wet conditions, according to 3AW, leaving motorists stopped beside the highway with damaged wheels and tyres.

Another Princes Highway pothole near Nar Nar Goon reportedly damaged more than 20 vehicles in November 2025, while motorists around Warrnambool have also reported significant repair bills after encountering damaged roads.

Premier Ben Carroll acknowledged the condition of parts of Victoria’s road network was “not good enough”, describing road repairs as a spending priority for his government.

Part of the additional funding will come from delaying the completion of three Melbourne level crossing removals by a year. Projects at Highett Road and Wickham Road in Highett and Latrobe Street in Mentone will be pushed back, a move the government says will save $112 million across the forward estimates.

Toyota alloy wheel on the ground with a tire, nearby scattered lug wrench and repair tools.
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The government has also identified $2 billion in savings associated with the Suburban Rail Loop and $70 million from reduced spending on consultants.

Labor has also announced plans for a new online system allowing motorists to report potholes and track their repair. Under the proposal, drivers would be able to upload photographs of damaged roads and monitor when repairs are scheduled, giving motorists greater visibility over how quickly reported problems are addressed.

In another element of the plan, minimum-security prisoners could be used for roadside maintenance if Labor is returned at the November state election. Supervised inmates would undertake basic jobs including mowing, weed control, graffiti removal and rubbish collection, freeing qualified road crews to concentrate on potholes and other skilled repair work. The government says the program would supplement rather than replace paid workers and would be developed with Corrections Victoria.

The $352 million package comes on top of $1.04 billion in road funding announced in June, with 70 per cent of that investment earmarked for regional Victoria.

Road conditions have become a growing safety issue as well as a financial concern for motorists. RACV has previously warned that badly deteriorated surfaces can create additional hazards when drivers brake suddenly or swerve to avoid potholes.