David Braithwaite
The end of the duplication of the Princes Highway between Sale and Traralgon is finally in sight, with another milestone recently reached.
Major Road Projects Victoria told the Gippsland Times it was on target to have two lanes each way along the length of the upgrade my mid-November.
The final traffic switch on the upgrade has been completed, with traffic flowing in both directions under the Kilmany Rail Bridge.
The Princes Highway upgrade has successfully moved traffic onto the final 1.2-kilometre section of the new eastbound lanes that run under the bridge.
“This marks the final traffic switch for the project, with vehicles now travelling on the newly-completed 12km of lanes built as part of the third and final stage of the Princes Highway East upgrade,” the MRPV spokesperson said.
“Major works on the upgrade are nearing completion with crews focusing on final asphalting, line marking and landscaping. Drivers will notice more lanes open and speed increases as sections are finished.”
Following the switch, crews have been working to remove redundant sections of the old highway, and complete final asphalting, barrier works and line marking between Velore and Maffra-Rosedale Rds, including at the intersections.
To keep drivers and work crews safe, there will be short traffic holds, lane and speed reductions, and increased traffic management in place along sections of the Princes Highway until November. Delays of up to 10 minutes may be experienced.
Access for emergency services and to residential properties will be maintained during these works.
The MRPV spokesperson said drainage throughout the Kilmany Rail Bridge underpass and across the project had been consistently monitored and addressed.
When the old rail underpass and embankments was demolished in May, crews discovered the area around the northern end of the new rail bridge was prone to flooding, due to the type of soil in the area, which didn’t absorb and disperse water well.
“We’ve since taken measures to rectify the situation, including installing additional drainage and strengthening the pavement and the ground underneath the new road,” a MRPV spokesperson said.
“This is the final stage of the Princes Highway East Upgrade, which has added 43km of additional lanes along Princes Highway East between Traralgon and Sale.”
Switching of traffic at Kilmany is the latest milestone as duplication of the highway heads towards a long-awaited conclusion. The first two stages of the project began in 2010 and were completed in 2017, with the third and final stages ongoing for the past three years.
Works at Kilmany, part of the third stage, have centred on a 95-metre long, single-span steel arch rail bridge and a service road for the small town.
