By Lynda Myer
A contract has been concluded between the Federal and Victorian Governments for construction of the final 43km of the Princes Highway duplication between Traralgon and Sale in eastern Victoria.
In order to create more opportunities across the construction industry, the project will be presented concurrently through a trio of construction partners including Laing O’Rourke, Whelans Group Investments and BildGroup.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack, said: “The $253.3 million project would duplicate the remaining sections of the Princes Highway East at Flynn and Kilmany and will result in better connections and a safer road while supporting hundreds of jobs.
He also added: “Ensuring the Princes Highway East is fully duplicated between Traralgon and Sale will not only mean significant safety benefits to the Gippsland community, but it will also increase the employment and connectivity of the region. This project will create over 100 jobs and with flow on benefits for 160 workers in the civil construction industry.”
In accordance with Jacinta Allan, Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure’s statement: “The works, which include adding two additional lanes, creating two lanes in each direction with a center median, will improve local road and private access to the highway.”
“Once complete, the project improvements will create a safer journey to around 15,000 motorists who use the road each day travelling between Traralgon and Sale. Construction will include strengthening of the existing highway, installing safety barriers, U-turn opportunities and upgrading six intersections including turn lanes, ” Ms. Allan said.
State Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing, stated: “The upgraded highway, which is a key link to a range of Gippsland tourist destinations including the snowfields and Gippsland Lakes, will mark a safer travel experience for holidaymakers and help recovery for the region’s tourism trade.”
She also asserted: “The final part of the upgrade will make travel safer for day-trippers and holidaymakers, helping the region to recover from the devastating bushfires, through a much-needed increase in tourism.”
According to State Member for Eastern Victoria, Jane Garrett: “Not only was it great to see the project a step closer to commencement, but it was also great to see the way the project would be delivered with more opportunities provided for local jobs. Our new approach to delivering these projects not only means we see vital projects like this delivered sooner – but more opportunities for local construction companies to access the project, providing the opportunity to deliver more jobs at a time our community needs it most.”
The determined budget for Princes Highway East – Complete the Duplication between Traralgon and Sale project is $253.3 million and it will jointly fund by the Federal Government committing $202.6 million and the Victorian Government $50.7 million.
It is estimated that the completion date of duplication between Traralgon and Sale project will be mid-2024.
