CONSTRUCTION of the much anticipated Buangor Bypass could get underway as soon as this summer and be finished by early 2016.
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Deputy Premier and Leader of The Nationals Peter Ryan has announced BMD Constructions Pty Ltd has been awarded the $44.1 million contract to build the bypass.
The development marks a major milestone on the Western Highway duplication.
Mr Ryan, who was joined onsite at Buangor by The Nationals candidate for Ripon Scott Turner and Liberal Candidate for Ripon Louise Staley, paid a particular welcome to students from Buangor Primary School - also on hand for the announcement.
"This project in its own way is about these students and the future of this region," he said.
"Over the course of the years there has been a wish that we are able to deliver a bypass of Buangor and I am pleased to say we are now at the point where that can be done."
Thousands of vehicles, many of them heavy transports, travel along the Western Highway everyday.
The six and half kilometre duplicated highway will be built north of Buangor, starting east of Andersons Road and finishing at the existing highway east of Pope Road.
Works will include the realignment and regrading of the existing carriageway, three new bridges over Billy Billy Creek East, new service roads to maintain local access and road connections to Buangor.
At Peacocks Road a grade separated interchange will be built with ramps connecting to the eastbound lanes and a roundabout on the existing highway.
"It will mean a remarkable change for the town, but for the people of Buangor it will be a wonderful development," Mr Ryan said.
Mr Ryan said the Buangor Bypass was being completed for a variety of reasons, first and foremost for the people who live in the town but also safety.
He said the State and Federal governments continue to collaborate to press ahead with the Western Highway duplication.
"The Australian and Victorian governments are proud supporters of this highway redevelopment which delivers substantial benefits to the people of this region and Western Victoria more broadly," Mr Ryan said.
"Together we have contributed $505 million towards the Western Highway upgrade between Ballarat and Stawell, in what is another example of our joint commitment to building a better regional and rural Victoria."
Victorian Minister for Roads Terry Mulder said construction would also provide new service roads to maintain local access and road connections to the township of Buangor.
"At Peacocks Road a grade separated interchange will be built on the new highway with ramps connecting to the eastbound lanes and a roundabout on the existing highway," he said.
The Australian Government is contributing $404 million to the Western Highway Duplication project with the Victorian Government contributing $101 million."
Federal Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan said the Buangor Bypass will complement construction currently underway on more than 15 kilometres of road between Beaufort and Buangor and 23 kilometres between Burrumbeet and Trawalla.
"The Buangor Bypass will ensure that heavy freight vehicles and interstate drivers do not need to travel through Buangor, which means local roads are returned back to the community," he said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Warren Truss said the Western Highway is one of Victoria's busiest rural roads and a significant interstate freight route, servicing trade and supporting the farming industry, regional tourism and local communities.
"By duplicating this highway the Australian Government is not only saving on transport costs and improving freight efficiency, but also improving traffic flow and making it safer for all drivers," he said.