A $3.6 million upgrade to one of the worst sections of the Princes Highway will improve safety and resilience of the key transport link, according to Member for Gippsland Darren Chester (pictured).
Mr Chester inspected progress on the Mt Drummer section of the highway, east of Orbost, and was impressed with the project.
“This is a difficult part of the highway to improve and the $3.6 million in upgrades will widen the road at tight corners, deliver better drainage, and provide slow vehicle pullover lanes,” Mr Chester said.
“Better roads reduce crashes and save the lives of locals and visitors to our regions.
“Regional tourism has a significant role to play in creating more jobs for more Victorians, supporting regions and strengthening communities, that is why improvements to this key tourist route is so important.
“By continuing to deliver projects like this, we are saying to all of Gippsland that our Government is here with you, supporting the jobs and infrastructure our community needs to thrive now and into the future.
“These upgrades will not only enhance safety for everyone travelling on the Princes Highway through East Gippsland but also make it more freight-friendly for our truck drivers.”
Overall construction on the Sale to NSW border upgrades commenced in November 2017 and is expected to be completed in mid-2022 with funding from State and Federal Governments.
The $50 million Princes Highway East upgrades from Sale to the New South Wales border includes:
- Shoulder construction and sealing from Nowa Nowa to the NSW border – completed early 2019;
- Signage works at Orbost and Genoa – completed late 2020;
- Overtaking lane east of Genoa (westbound) – completed mid-2020;
- Intersection works between Nowa Nowa and Orbost – completed late 2020;
- Safety barriers installation between Bairnsdale and NSW border – completed mid-2021;
- Upgrades at Lakes Entrance, including road surface and drainage improvements, and intersection upgrades between Laura Street and Carstairs Avenue, Rules Road and Golf Links Road – completed late 2021; and
- Safety works at Mount Drummer – currently underway, expected completion in mid-2022
