The final three stages of the duplication of the Princes Highway between Traralgon and Sale are finally underway.
Road builders’ compounds are under construction and there will be ground breaking on new sections of the highway at Kilmany and Flynn in the next few days and weeks.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien and The Nationals Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester say the work is the culmination of a long wait and a strong community campaign.
“The duplication of the highway is a key project for Gippsland and will deliver significant safety benefits as well as freight efficiency and make our region a better place to live,” said Mr Chester.
“That’s why I’ve had the Federal Government’s 80 per cent commitment on the table for the past four years and have been fighting to get the project off the ground. It’s great to see it finally beginning.”
Mr O’Brien said the project would duplicate the remaining 12.1kms of the highway between Traralgon and Sale delivering a freeway-type experience virtually all the way from Melbourne to Sale.
“It’s disappointing that the State Labor Government took so long to match the federal money that Darren and his team have had on the table, but we finally got that commitment in the middle of last year.
“We are both disappointed that it’s taken almost 12 months for the project to get underway, but finally we are there.
“I’ve had many people asking me where it is at and I know there will be relief to see the works start.
“Gippslanders have been very patient with the long timeframe and we need to put up with a few more years of roadworks yet, but ultimately it will be a great outcome,” Mr O’Brien said.