WORK to repair the Bridgewater-Maldon Road, which was damaged by floods in January, began on Wednesday.The road, which cuts through Bells Swamp, has been closed since the floods.It is expected to reopen with temporary speed restrictions in mid-November.VicRoads inspected the road to assess the scope of repairs required, and crews made a start on preparation works this week, including preliminary pavement repairs and installing silt fencing to protect the surrounding wetland.Crews will then place new road-making material on top to build up the existing road.MP for Northern Victoria Donna Petrovich inspected the road with VicRoads regional director Mal Kersting this week.“This road is a key link for residents and the grain industry and our aim is to reconnect communities as quickly as possible, so that people can get on with their lives,’’ Mrs Petrovich said.“VicRoads will endeavour to have all of the works completed as quickly as possible, but some of the works, such as construction of road shoulders and line-marking, will be dependent upon surrounding water levels subsiding and suitable weather conditions.”Until the road reopens, signs are in place for motorists to detour via Bendigo-Maldon Road and Bendigo-Maryborough Road.