The final section of Victoria's Princes Highway duplication between Traralgon and Sale will soon begin construction following the award of contracts to construction partners.
Three construction partners – namely Laing O'Rourke, Whelans Group Investments and BildGroup – have been awarded contracts to deliver the significant road infrastructure to provide more work opportunities across the construction industry.
“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.
“This project will create over 100 jobs and with flow on benefits for 160 workers in the civil construction industry,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said.
The $253.3 million Princes Highway East Stage 3 project will deliver the remaining section of the 43 kilometres’ worth of new lanes between Traralgon and Sale.
The final stage works include:
“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.
“Construction will include strengthening of the existing highway, installing safety barriers, U-turn opportunities and upgrading six intersections including turn lanes,” Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said.
The Prince Highway is a key connection to several tourist destinations in Gippsland, including the snowfields and Gippsland Lakes. Upgrading the highway will make road travel along this route safer for holidaymakers as well as help the region's tourism industry recover.
“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,” State Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said.
“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,” State Member for Easter Victoria Jane Garrett said.
The entire Princes Highway East Duplication between Traralgon and Sale is due to be completed by mid-2024.
The $253.3 million Stage 3 project is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments, each contributing $202.6 million and $50.7 million respectively.
Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Victorian Government – Department of Transport; Major Road Projects Victoria