The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien has called on the Andrews Labor Government to progress works on the long-waited Traralgon bypass.
Mr O’Brien expressed concern that while talk of the bypass has gone on for decades, the flow of traffic through Traralgon is becoming increasingly choked with the introduction of multiple roundabouts and several new traffic lights over the past few years.
“With the final three stages of the duplication of the Princes Highway from Traralgon to Sale now underway it’s time to focus on the Traralgon bypass,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The Traralgon bypass presents an opportunity to not only improve traffic flow for motorists heading further east to Wellington and East Gippsland Shires, but in my view it would actually be good for Traralgon too.
“There will soon be 11 sets of traffic lights through Traralgon that are clogging up traffic for those of us passing through as well as Traralgon locals.”
Speaking in Parliament, Mr O’Brien queried what progress had been made on the project which has been in planning for decades.
“In 2017 we saw the State Government put $1.4 million towards the bypass planning project but it seems very little has happened since.
“The response I received from Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan, was that planning for the project is impacted by the proposed route’s proximity to the Loy Yang Mine and options for its future rehabilitation.
“I acknowledge the complexity of this issue but we can’t leave the bypass in the too-hard basket forever.
“There is also an opportunity to consider flood mitigation for Traralgon while planning the bypass as it will need to cross the Traralgon Creek which regularly causes flood damage in town.
“This is a project with the potential to greatly improve the region by improving road safety, reducing travel time and providing flood mitigation.
“I will continue to advocate to the state government to get this project underway and ensure it does not remain in limbo forever.”