Work is underway on the Andrews Labor Government’s $51.5 million safety upgrade on the Princes Highway East between Sale and Bairnsdale.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan joined Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today to inspect early works on the Princes Highway East at Sale.
The project will upgrade 62 kilometres of the highway, installing left-hand side and centreline flexible safety barriers and rumble strips.
Sections of the road will also be widened and road shoulders will be sealed.
The Princes Highway East is one of Victoria’s most high-risk roads and has a tragic history of fatalities and serious injuries.
Work to install 165 kilometres of flexible safety barrier will start in the coming weeks. The barriers will prevent head-on and run-off-road crashes, rolling vehicles and crashes into roadside hazards.
Breaks of at least 40 metres in the barriers will align with properties to allow safe access for residents and emergency service vehicles as well as space for B-doubles to turn safely.
Two overtaking opportunities will be added near Lindenow Road.
The design of this upgrade is being finalised following extensive community consultation which included community information sessions, door-knocking and pop-up information stands.
The Victorian Government is investing $1 billion to improve safety on high-risk arterial roads, rolling out more than 2000 kilometres of flexible safety barriers across the state.
The project is being delivered as part of the Victorian Government’s Towards Zero Road Safety Strategy in partnership with the Transport Accident Commission and VicRoads.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan
“Everyone makes mistakes on the road, but no one should die because of them. That’s why we’re investing $1 billion in life saving safety infrastructure like wire rope barriers.”
“We’re rolling out more than 165 kilometres of wire rope barrier on the Princes Highway East between Sale and Bairnsdale to stop run-off road crashes and keep people safe on this critical arterial road.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
“This 62 kilometre section of the Princes Highway East is one of Victoria’s most high risk roads, but this upgrade will transform it into one of our safest.”
“We know that the Princes Highway East has a tragic history of fatalities and serious injuries – that’s why we’re investing in this life-saving safety upgrade.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020