Victoria Invests $35 Million For Princes Highway Project
Work is motoring on the first stage of the Princes Highway duplication between Traralgon and Sale, with Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas in Traralgon today to inspect progress.
Mr Pallas said the first stage of the project, jointly funded by the Victorian and Australian Governments, included rebuilding the road with two lanes in each direction, separated by a raised central median, and safety improvements at four intersections.
“The Brumby Labor Government is building a better transport network for Victoria, providing important road safety upgrades for local communities, so people can spend more time with family and less time in traffic,” Mr Pallas said.
“The Princes Highway project is bringing significant benefits for Gippsland road users and for the range of industries that rely on this major arterial in the state’s east.
“These works signify another important milestone in improving safety, access and efficiency of the road network in Gippsland, with $35 million committed in the recent 2010 State Budget towards the project.”
Mr Pallas said the first stage covered a 1.5 kilometre stretch of highway between Traralgon-Maffra Road and Stammers Road in Traralgon East, with Fulton Hogan the VicRoads contractor for the works.
“Construction has begun on roundabouts at the Rocla Road and Stammers Road intersections and existing service roads have been extended. As a result of community consultation traffic signals are also being installed at Traralgon-Maffra Road and Eastern Road/McNairn Road intersections,” he said.
Member for Eastern Victoria Matt Viney said the Princes Highway upgrade would provide a better roadway and significant boost to safety for local communities.
“At Traralgon East the highway carries more than 16,000 vehicles per day including 3500 trucks, so this upgrade will make trips better and safer for all drivers,” Mr Viney said.
“The improvements between Traralgon and Sale will ensure a smoother flow of traffic during holiday peaks, when visitors flock to Lakes Entrance and other coastal Gippsland destinations.
“This upgrade will also benefit farmers and industries in Gippsland such as dairy, paper, timber, coal and gas production.”
Tenders have been advertised for the next stage of the Princes Highway project, upgrading a 4.5 kilometre section between Wurruk and Sale, with work expected to begin this year.
To date, $175 million has been committed to the project by the Australian and Victorian Governments, on top of other major investments to improve Gippsland roads.
The state-funded $59.6m Cox’s Bridge project, to upgrade the flood-prone section of the South Gippsland Highway between Longford and Sale, will also get underway this year.
Topics: 2010, Australia, Brumby Labor Government, business, community, construction, duplication, economic development, economic growth, economic recovery, Economy, employment, Environmental Management Plan, Governance, government, grants, highway, highway drivers, investment, jobs, Melbourne, monitor, Nation Building Program, news, Princes Highway, public services, renovation, roads, safe roads, safety, sale, society, Tim Pallas, tourism, trade, transport system, transportation, Traralgon, travel, VicRoads, Victoria, Victorian Transport Plan, work zones, workforce
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