May 27, 2016
The Rosedale roundabout will be upgraded to better serve heavy vehicles after The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester announced $1.05 million to fix the notorious bottleneck.
Mr Chester, the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, said the upgrade would make it easier for heavy vehicles to negotiate the tight left-hand turn heading east.
He said the funding is part of a broader $5.65 million package to fund heavy vehicle safety upgrades across Gippsland.
“The current design of the roundabout presents challenges for large trucks travelling through Rosedale,” Mr Chester said.
“Every day there are 1300 heavy vehicles passing through Rosedale via the roundabout, including 185 B-Doubles.
“These vehicles are forced to drive across two lanes to make a left-hand turn when heading east on the highway, which presents challenges for the truck drivers and other motorists.
“Because of the current constraints, guard rail and nearby buildings have been damaged five times in the last two years.
“This funding will improve the design of the intersection to reduce delays, and further complement the Princes Highway east duplication works that are currently underway.”
Mr Chester said there would also be additional safety upgrades along the entire stretch of the Princes Highway in Gippsland.
“The Coalition is also investing a combined $760,000 to support a $1.5 million upgrade of safety markers on the Princes Highway between Longwarry and the New South Wales border.
“These works will include reflector guideposts marking informal rest areas for trucks and high-standard signage at 27 formal heavy vehicle rest areas along the 420km section of highway.
“We are committed to working with the heavy vehicle industry and getting on with the job of providing safer and more productive freight network.
“A competitive freight industry supports jobs and growth in our primary industries and there are flow-on safety benefits from these upgrades for all road users.”
Mr Chester said the projects were supported by the Victorian Government and would commence in 2017.
The Coalition has committed a total of $97 million for projects under Round Five of the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme.
Funding for the programme was also extended as part of the 2016/17 Budget, ensuring that $40 million a year continues to flow and deliver projects on an annual basis from 2019/20.