THE federal government has green-lit funding for two Bendigo bridges as it pushes for construction projects to help hard-hit regional and rural economies.
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The government will pay $593,680 to strengthen and widen Epsom's Howard Street bridge, as well as $241,308 to help replace one at Myers Flat's Allies Road.
The projects are among seven in the Bendigo electorate and 350 nationwide.
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The government hopes the funding will allow councils to fast-track fixes for ageing infrastructure, especially along busy roads used by heavy freight vehicles.
It could also guarantee employment in areas hit hard by the COVID-19 economic crisis and a summer of bushfires, Victorian senator Sarah Henderson said.
"Every single local job we support in regional Victoria by investing in infrastructure projects means one less worry for another Australian and their family, reliable work on the books for local construction companies and more cash flowing through local businesses and communities doing it tough," she said.
Local governments will get 12 months to start projects and 24 moths to complete them. Councils will determine the exact timelines themselves.
Other Bendigo electorate bridges to secure funding include those on Barfold's Siddles Road, Shilliday Road and Mitchells Lane.
Sidonia's Hartigans Bridge will be widened and Tylden's James Lane bridge will also be replaced using federal infrastructure funding.
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