Contracts have been awarded for construction of the final 43 kilometres of the Princes Highway to be duplicated between Traralgon and Sale in eastern Victoria.
To provide more opportunities across the construction industry, the project will be delivered concurrently through a trio of construction partners including Laing O'Rourke, Whelans Group Investments and BildGroup.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the $253.3 million project would duplicate the remaining sections of the Princes Highway East at Flynn and Kilmany and will result in better connections and a safer road while supporting hundreds of jobs.
"Ensuring the Princes Highway East is fully duplicated between Traralgon and Sale will not only mean significant safety benefits to the Gippsland community, but it will also increase the employment and connectivity of the region," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
"This project will create over 100 jobs and with flow on benefits for 160 workers in the civil construction industry."
Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said the works, which include adding two additional lanes, creating two lanes in each direction with a centre median, will improve local road and private access to the highway.
"Once complete, the project improvements will create a safer journey to around 15,000 motorists who use the road each day travelling between Traralgon and Sale," Ms Allan said.
"Construction will include strengthening of the existing highway, installing safety barriers, U-turn opportunities and upgrading six intersections including turn lanes."
State Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said the upgraded highway, which is a key link to a range of Gippsland tourist destinations including the snowfields and Gippsland Lakes, will mark a safer travel experience for holidaymakers and help recovery for the region's tourism trade.
"The final part of the upgrade will make travel safer for day-trippers and holidaymakers, helping the region to recover from the devastating bushfires, through a much-needed increase in tourism,"
Ms Shing said.
State Member for Eastern Victoria Jane Garrett said not only was it great to see the project a step closer to commencement, but it was also great to see the way the project would be delivered with more opportunities provided for local jobs.
"Our new approach to delivering these projects not only means we see vital projects like this delivered sooner - but more opportunities for local construction companies to access the project, providing the opportunity to deliver more jobs at a time our community needs it most," Ms Garrett said.
The $253.3 million Princes Highway East - Complete the Duplication between Traralgon and Sale project is jointly funded, with the Australian Government committing $202.6 million and the Victorian Government $50.7 million.
The full duplication between Traralgon and Sale project is anticipated to be complete by mid-2024.
