Road types and responsible authorities
Find out about the different road types and who is responsible for them.
The management, maintenance and development of Victoria's roads is shared between:
- Department of Transport and Planning (DTP)
- municipal councils
- Transurban
- Connect East
- Southern Way
- Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP)
- other government departments.
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. DTP 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.
DTP is also responsible for the ongoing maintenance of these roads.
You can search for freeways and arterial roads anywhere in Victoria using the map of DTP managed roads.
Classification of freeways and arterial roads
DTP 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.
DTP must consider if the road:
- provides a principal route for the movement of people and goods:
- between major regions of Victoria; 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.
Road types and responsible authorities
The following table explains which organisations are responsible for each road type in Victoria.
| Road type | Coordinating road authority | Responsible road authority |
|---|---|---|
| Freeway (except privately operated) | DTP | DTP |
| Freeway (privately operated) | Varies | Melbourne CityLink - Transurban Eastlink - ConnectEast Peninsula Link - Southern Way |
| Arterial (urban) | DTP | DTP (through traffic), council (service roads, pathways, roadside)* |
| Arterial (non-urban) | DTP | DTP, council (service roads, pathways)* |
| Municipal | Council | Council |
| Non-arterial state | eg. DELWP, Parks Victoria (DTP for small number of these roads) | eg. DELWP, Parks Victoria (DTP for small number of these roads) |
* Further information on the allocation of operational responsibilities between DTP 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.
Victoria's route number signs
DTP has implemented a statewide route numbering scheme throughout rural Victoria. This is a simple route numbering system for rural freeways and arterial roads.
Each road is given a letter and an identifying number.
The letter assigned to each road reflects the quality and function of the route. It allows drivers to anticipate the driving conditions they are likely to encounter and to plan their trip in advance.
The route numbers help drivers navigate around rural roads, particularly when they are travelling in unfamiliar areas. The new signs are providing a significant benefit to tourists, making travel in Victoria much easier.
The statewide route numbering scheme has been implemented along all M, A, B, and C routes. Producers of the major road directories have included route numbers on their maps.
The program has been implemented in conjunction with Tourism Victoria's statewide tourist signing program.
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 DTP 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.