Drivers in south-western Victoria are already experiencing the benefits of upgrades to three vital regional freight routes in one of Australia’s major forestry, farming and mining regions, the ‘Green Triangle’, with the next phase of works due to start in September 2018.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack said extensive works recently completed in the area – spanning the southern border area between South Australia and Victoria – included upgrading two kilometres of the Portland Ring Road, the Portland Ring Road intersection at Madeira Packet Road and about 13 kilometres of the Henty Highway.
“The volume of work being undertaken on these roads is unprecedented and a real win for the community as it will ensure these vital routes are safer and more reliable for many years to come”, Mr McCormack said.
Multiple roads have also been resurfaced, including about 30 kilometres of roadway between Portland and the South Australian border, the Henty Highway/Princes Highway intersection near Portland and nine kilometres between Heywood and Hamilton.
Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan said the freight industry would also reap the benefits of these works.
“We’re fixing the roads our primary producers rely on every day to get their goods to market as quickly and safely as possible – and that’s good news for local jobs and business,” Mr Donnellan said.
The upgrades included a final seal which was placed on about 32 kilometres of previously rebuilt roadway between Casterton and Drumborg.
Federal Member for Wannon Dan Tehan said even more upgrades would follow this 2018−19 construction season.
“This season about 28 kilometres of the Henty Highway will be resurfaced between Portland and Hamilton, which will include rebuilding a one-kilometre section of the highway near Myamyn,” Mr Tehan said.
State Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney said upgrading these deteriorating roads will deliver an improved journey for local and tourist traffic.
“We’re delivering these vital improvement works to better connect our communities, make our roads more reliable and grow jobs and business in the south west,” Ms Tierney said.
Works to improve about 15 kilometres of Portland-Casterton Road will start later this year, with about four kilometres of road rebuilding works also taking place between Merino and Casterton.
A final seal will also be laid on about 24 kilometres of the Portland-Nelson Road between Portland and the South Australian border with just over one kilometre of the road being rebuilt near Nelson.
The Australian and Victorian Governments have invested $20 million each in the $40 million project over four years to upgrade the Henty Highway, Portland-Casterton Road and Portland-Nelson Road – the key arterial roads that serve the Port of Portland.
