Gipplsanders have had a $200 million win in the long fight to secure funding for the Princes Highway duplication.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester today said the Federal Government was providing $202.6 million to complete the duplication of the Princes Highway between Traralgon and Sale, with the State Government coming to the table with $50.6 million.
“This is a huge win for Gippsland with a safer and efficient highway directly benefitting local motorists, the transport industry and the travelling public. The project will also support 185 local jobs, which is crucial for helping us bounce back after the drought, bushfires and coronavirus,” Mr Chester said.
“The state government has finally agreed to help duplicate the last 12 kilometres of highway between Traralgon and Sale, a project that I’ve fought for with the community for the past 10 years.
“This project will change lives and it will save lives. It will improve road safety and reduce travel times, leading to greater productivity and connectivity in our region.”
The works will total 12.1 kilometres, known as the Flynn and Kilmany sections, constructing two additional lanes to provide a four-lane dual carriageway with a central median east of Sheepwash Creek Road to west of Flynns Creek Road and east of Maffra-Rosedale Road to west of Sale-Cowwarr Road.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the funding was part of a $1.5 billion infrastructure package that would fund shovel-ready infrastructure projects and support local jobs immediately.
“This funding will deliver critical infrastructure projects right across the country to help keep construction businesses running and people in jobs,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“We will work together with the states and territories to deliver these job-creating priority projects, building on our unprecedented cooperation to date through the National Cabinet of States and Territories.
“This is part of our $100 billion, 10-year infrastructure pipeline, which is laying the foundations of a financial bridge to recovery on the other side of the COVID-19 crisis.”
