A $20 million upgrade of the Victoria’s Western Highway between Stawell and the South Australian border will provide truck drivers and other road users with a safer and more reliable journey on the highway, according to the Victorian Government.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Barnaby Joyce said the Western Highway is one of Victoria’s busiest highways and the main road link between Melbourne and Adelaide.
“The Western Highway serves as a key transport corridor through Victoria’s western district and upgrading this section of the highway will significantly improve safety for all users including farming, tourism and manufacturing interests,” said Mr. Joyce.
Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan, said road rehabilitation works would improve the safety and reliability of the highway.
“Drivers have already seen the benefits of the 55 kilometres of the highway that’s already been duplicated and we’ll continue to build a better Western Highway to support local communities and jobs throughout Western Victoria,” he said.
Federal Member for Mallee Andrew Broad said the upgrades would help to significantly reduce the number of serious crashes recorded on this section of the highway in recent years.
“Between 2012 and 2017, there were 102 crashes on the Western Highway between Stawell and the South Australian border, including seven fatalities and 52 serious injuries, which demonstrates why these upgrades are a major priority for the Australian Government,” said Mr. Broad.
Early works are underway, with major construction due to start in mid-January. Completion of the upgrades is due in late 2020.
The $20 million project is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments.
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