The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with planning works to duplicate the Midland Highway between Bannockburn and Geelong.
Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced that WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff has been awarded a $670,000 contract to develop the business case for the project.
WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff will work with VicRoads to assess the transport, land use and economic benefits of the project, as well as any social or environmental impacts.
The duplication will boost safety and capacity along the Midland Highway – a vital freight route between Ballarat and Geelong as well as from the northwest to the Port of Geelong and Melbourne. Farmers in the Golden Plains district also rely on it to transport their produce.
The project will also support the population growth that has occurred in Bannockburn and surrounding areas recently, which is expected to continue over the next few years.
Local communities, the Golden Plains Shire, the City of Greater Geelong, freight operators and bus companies will have the chance to have their say on the duplication’s design as the project progresses.
The Labor Government has provided $2 million to plan the development between Shelford Bannockburn Road in Bannockburn and the Geelong Ring Road (Princes Freeway) in Geelong.
The timing of any proposed works will be determined by this study. The business case is expected to be completed by early 2018.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP
“We’re getting on with the planning works to duplicate the Midland Highway to get people home safer and sooner every day.”
“This project will boost exports, create jobs, and support our farmers from paddock to port.”
