Construction on the next stage of the Western Highway duplication between Buangor and Ararat is set to begin with the contract to deliver the project awarded to a joint venture between CPB Contractors and Seymour Whyte.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Barnaby Joyce said that this project is part of the Australian Government’s $500 million Western Highway duplication between Ballarat and Stawell, which will improve driver safety on the road as well as support local industries.
“In partnership with the Victorian Government, the overarching project will see $659.7 million invested in building a dual-lane highway between Melbourne and Adelaide. The improved highway will make travel safer for all drivers, and make the trip more efficient for heavy freight vehicles,” Mr Joyce said.
According to Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan, the awarding of the contract is a sign of progress on the project and it is a vital step to delivering safer roads throughout the State.
“There were 91 crashes between Ballarat and Stawell in the five-year period to June 2017, including eight fatalities and 51 serious injuries – tragic figures that we are determined to reduce through our investment in improvements like these,” Mr Donnellan said.
Works on the 12.5-kilometre section of the Western Highway between Buangor and Ararat will include:
- Duplicating the highway to two lanes in each direction
- Additional turning lanes
- A new bridge over the railway line
- Two new bridges over the Hopkins River
- An interchange at Hillside Road
Pre-construction works such as fence construction will be completed over the next few weeks, with major construction activities expected to commence in March 2018 and be completed in two years’ time.
Receive the latest Western Highway Duplication update and other industry news straight to your inbox by subscribing to Felix Project News today.
Source: Premier of Victoria
