After more than two years of delay, work has finally started on a bridge-strengthening project that will make the Sale Alternative Route safer for heavy vehicles.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester secured $6.2 million from the previous Federal Government to upgrade the bridges as the first stage of major works on the road, which is growing in popularity for travellers seeking to bypass pass Sale.
“It’s been a farcical project with the new Minister Catherine King suspending work while she undertook a so-called 90-day review of the infrastructure program that lasted more than 200 days,” Mr Chester said.
“There were signs up last year saying the bridge strengthening would be finished by December 2023, and they are just starting work now.
“There’s not a single major transport project in Gippsland today that Minister King has funded and delivered. All of the major works were funded under the previous Coalition Government and are now being rolled out at a snail’s pace.”
Mr Chester said there was still no indication whether the Albanese Government would help fund the planned roundabout and road realignment on the Maffra-Sale Rd, which was a critical component of the alternative route.
The State Government finally agreed to provide $10.9 million for this project on the Sale alternative route in this year’s budget after years of lobbying by local council and transport operators, but that only covers half the cost.
“Ironically, we had the chance to secure 80% of the funding from the previous Coalition Government, but we could never convince the Melbourne Labor Ministers to provide the 20% required to get the job done,” Mr Chester said.
“Now the funding rules have been changed by Minister King, and the State Government is required to provide a 50-50 split. By waiting so long, Gippslanders have been short-changed and will now be paying even more for a road that could’ve been fixed years ago.
“We still haven’t heard whether the Federal Government will provide its share of the funding because Minister King refuses to reply to letters asking for more information.
“I’ve never dealt with a Minister who can’t be bothered responding to correspondence from local MPs seeking information on behalf of residents about important local projects.”
