The Australian and Victorian Governments has signed off on a $50 million package of works to upgrade the Princes Highway in eastern Victoria, and works are expected to commence soon.

Federal minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said that this upgrade will improve the connection of Gippsland to the north of the border, which includes the Port of Eden and Canberra.

“The improvements will address safety risks in the Nicholson and Lakes Entrance areas by improving intersections and providing an upgraded rest area at the Jemmy’s Point lookout. It will also make The Esplanade in Lakes Entrance safer for pedestrians and road users.

“With the addition of a new roundabout in Cann River, the Princes Highway in far East Gippsland will be made safer for B-double trucks, allowing for the efficient movement of local horticulture, seafood and forestry products,” Mr Chester said.

According to Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan, the Princes Highway is a vital freight corridor and is a major route through Gippsland as well as southern New South Wales for tourist traffic.

“These upgrades will deliver a significant safety boost for drivers along the highway, particularly around Lakes Entrance, with a new overtaking lane east of Genoa, and new safety barriers at high-risk locations.

“The upgrade will fix many dangerous sections of the highway in far East Gippsland, where there are steep drop-offs and sharp curves that make it difficult for motorists to overtake safely, increasing the risk of run-off-road and head-on crashes,” Mr Donnellan said.

This project is funded by both the Australian and Victorian Governments in a 50:50 split.

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Source: Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and Premier of Victoria