Green light for Western Highway duplication to Stawell
Long-delayed duplication works on the Western Highway will finally be completed under a Liberal and Nationals Government.
The Liberals and Nationals will ensure the $90 million in state government funding required to complete the duplication of the highway between Burrumbeet and Stawell will be delivered – a project that was supposed to be completed by 2016.
Deputy Leader of The Nationals and Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said construction of the Ararat to Stawell section would commence in mid-2024 and be completed by the end of 2025.
“Duplication of the Western Highway commenced in 2013 and was supposed to be finished by 2016, but almost 10 years later we have only 55 kilometres of the 103 kilometre section of highway duplicated, with very little work occurring for the past three years,” Ms Kealy said.
“During this period there have been 163 crashes on this section of the highway, including 18 fatalities and 90 people seriously injured.
“More than 6000 vehicles – including 1500 trucks – travel on the highway each day and that number is expected to double in the coming three years.
“The Western Highway is the major link between Melbourne and Adelaide, yet parts of the highway have fallen into disrepair.
“This funding means the project can finally continue and deliver a safer road for motorists.”
Shadow Minister for Roads, Danny O’Brien, said action was needed to get the project back on track.
“This project has been sitting idle for years with no intervention from the Minister for Roads,” Mr O’Brien said.
“People in the Wimmera have had enough and want a real solution to make the road safer for all users.
“The Liberals and Nationals will ensure this funding is delivered and get this highway up to the standard it should be.”