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Times
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2020
GIPPSLAND
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INSIDE
Duplication to be completed:
State coughs up money
A DECADE after works first began, the Princes Highway duplication between Sale and Traralgon finally has the state funding contribution to be completed. Yesterday, the state government announced it would provide its share of funding, about $50 million, to finish the final two sections of the duplication, at Flynn and Kilmany, by 2024.
The federal government will contribute $202.6 million to complete the duplication on the state government-owned stretch of road. Pre-construction activities are already complete, and construction is expected to begin later this year. The sections will add an extra 12 kilometres of lane in each direction — to provide a four-lane dual carriageway with a central median east of Sheepwash Creek Rd to west of Flynns Creek Rd and east of Maffra-Rosedale Rd to west of SaleCowwarr Rd.
The state government said the project will also deliver a range of safety upgrades, including “wider shoulders and a centre median with flexible safety barriers to reduce the risk and severity of run-off road and head-on crashes”. The total figure for the final two stages of duplication has increased to $253 million — up significantly from the original $165 million cost estimated just two years ago to complete the final stages. Once the project is complete, the Princes Highway
Fight has only just begun Wellington Shire mayor Alan Hall, pictured on the Port of Sale’s iconic Victorian ash steps (supplied by Heyfield’s Australian Sustainable Hardwoods), has slammed Bunnings’ decision to discontinue stocking VicForest timber as “unAustralian”. He added he could not believe the company would make the decision, given Gippsland’s struggle with drought, bushfire and COVID-19. Story page 3. Photo: Sarah Luke
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will be fully duplicated over the entire 43 kilometres between Traralgon and Sale, improving safety and journey times for the 15,000 motorists who use the stretch of road every day. Gippsland MHR Darren Chester said it had been a long fight to secure the funding. “This is a huge win for Gippsland with a safer and efficient highway directly benefitting local motorists, the transport industry and the travelling public,” he said. “The project will also support 185 local jobs, which is crucial for helping us bounce back after the drought, bushfires and coronavirus.” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack added the funding was part of a $1.5 billion infrastructure package that would fund shovel-ready infrastructure projects and support local jobs immediately. Speaking more broadly about road and rail projects in Gippsland, Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said the government knew it had been a difficult year for Gippsland communities, but this funding would boost the local economy and create jobs, while building transport infrastructure. “These important projects will provide safer, more reliable roads and train services for locals and tourists alike,” she said. Gippsland South MLA Danny O’Brien said the funding announcement was the culmination of years of hard work and lobbying, and it was a relief to finally get state government funding to finish the duplication. “Great credit to my colleague Darren Chester and the federal government for leading the way and ultimately embarrassing Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan into stumping up their share,” Mr O’Brien said. “While it will be great to get the job done, it is incumbent now on the Labor state government to explain why they didn’t fund this project three years ago which has led to an $85 million blow-out in costs.” Continued page 6
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