The Andrews Labor Government is considering options to upgrade the Princes Highway from Colac to the South Australian border, to reduce travel times and increase safety.
Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney announced work has begun on a business case to look into ways to give drivers on the key route more chances to safely overtake.
The traffic modelling and safety assessments are part of the business case which will be considered by government for funding, to identify where along the highway overtaking lanes and new safety barriers could be added to save lives.
Over the last five years, there have been four lives lost from 13 head-on collisions, two lives lost from 46 run-off road crashes and three serious crashes from divers trying to overtake vehicles.
As Victoria’s economy continues to grow, adding extra overtaking lanes will also get timber, train, dairy and agriculture products to the Port of Portland and the Port of Geelong more efficiently.
The Princes Highway provides a vital link to key towns and centres throughout the south west, from Melbourne, to Geelong, Colac, Camperdown, Terang, Warrnambool and Port Fairy, right through to South Australia.
Currently the Princes Highway carries around 10,000 vehicles per day, including 3,000 trucks.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“We’re investing in this important planning work as a first step towards making the Princes Highway safer and more efficient.”
“The business case will identify where overtaking lanes are needed and how we can make this key freight route safer for everyone that uses the road.”