CONSTRUCTION has begun on the duplication of the Princes Highway between Flynn and Rosedale.
Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Warren Truss confirmed works on the 8.3 kilometre highway duplication project were now underway.
“The Australian Government is committing $140 million as part of a $175 million package with the Victorian Government to ensure that this section of the Princes Highway is as safe as possible for the road users and residents of Gippsland,” Mr Truss said.
“As the primary route between Melbourne and Gippsland, the Princes Highway supports key industries such as dairy, timber, mining and natural gas, as well as the RAAF Base East Sale.”
Gippsland MHR Darren Chester said the upgrade was necessary to ensure the Princes Highway could safely cope with increasing traffic volumes.
“Unfortunately, this section of the highway, particularly near Blind Joes Creek, has had seven crashes in the last five years, including a double fatality,” Mr Chester said.
Deputy Premier Peter Ryan said the $175 million package of works would duplicate 22 of the 47 kilometres of the Princes Highway between Traralgon and Sale.
“Duplicating this stretch of road will make overtaking possible where it previously hadn’t been, reducing the frustration of drivers which sometimes leads to bad decisions,” Mr Ryan said.
“This will make the road safer for the 10,500 motorists who use the road every day.”
Pre-construction works for the upgrade are now complete, with the contractor scheduled to begin work on the Blind Joes Creek and Flynns Creek bridges in coming weeks.
Inconvenience for motorists should be minimised as most of the early stages of construction will happen away from the highway, with work expected to be completed mid 2016.
