Road types and responsible authorities

Funding for roads

Funding for Victoria's road network comes from federal, state and local government sources, except for privately operated freeways which are funded by the private owners and operators.

Freeway and arterial roads

The majority of Victoria's traffic is carried on freeways and arterial roads. These roads provide the principal routes for the movement of people and goods between major regions and population centres of the State, and between major metropolitan activity centres, together with links to major freight terminals and tourist areas in both rural and metropolitan areas. These routes provide a safe, efficient and integrated road transport system for the economic and social benefit of the community. Department of Transport and Planning arranges for freeways (excluding privately operated freeways) and arterial roads to be upgraded and constructed as necessary. For example, upgrades may be needed to accommodate changes in population size and location and increased road use for freight, business and private travel.

Department of Transport and Planning is also responsible for the ongoing maintenance of these roads. See more information on Department of Transport and Planning maintenance activities.

You can search for freeways and arterial roads anywhere in Victoria using the Maps of Declared Roads.

Classification of freeways and arterial roads

Department of Transport and Planning must consider the following principles before declaring a road to be a Freeway or Arterial Road. These principles are described in section 14 of the Road Management Act 2004, which also sets out the form of notice and procedures that apply to such a declaration.

Department of Transport and Planning must consider if the road:

• provides a principal route for the movement of people and goods:
  • between major regions of the State; or
  • between major centres of population or between major metropolitan activity centres; or
  • to major transport terminals; or
  • across or around cities; or
• is a major route for public transport services; or
• has State-wide economic or tourism significance; or
• provides necessary connections between arterial roads.

Facts and benefits of the road network

• There's 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 23,000 kilometres of freeways and arterial roads managed by VicRoads are valued at around $27 billion.
• The Victorian arterial road network carries approximately 350 million tonnes of freight.
• 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 Victorian economy, including tourism, depends on the efficient and effective management of the roads.
• Efficient freight routes and links are essential to reduce the costs of transport to local and overseas markets.

Road types and responsible authorities

The following information explains the organisations that are responsible for each type of road in Victoria.

Note 1: Further information on the allocation of operational responsibilities between VicRoads and municipal councils on arterial roads (as the relevant responsible road authorities) can be found in the Code of Practice for Operational Responsibilities for Public Roads. These operational responsibilities include such activities as the construction, inspection, maintenance and repair of road infrastructure.