The next stage of the state government’s $672 million upgrade to the Western Highway is set to get underway in the coming months despite sustained opposition from landowners.
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The imminent renewal of construction between Ararat and Buangor follows an embarrassing VicRoads error where the original Incorporated Document for construction of the 12.5-kilometre section of the project expired in February 2016.
Keep Original Route Supporters group member MairiAnne Mackenzie, who is a landholder along the proposed Ararat to Buangor route, said the duplication could be completed cheaper and with less environmental impact if it was built along the existing highway.
“I’m saying take my land, make use of the existing highway and build a shorter, cheaper road, sooner and with less damage,” Ms Mackenzie said.
“This is what VicRoads’ own criteria say it should do. Our group can’t understand the resistance.”
In a statement, Roads Minister Luke Donnellan said “the route chosen for the Western Highway between Ararat and Buangor has been carefully considered to have the lowest environmental impact for this portion of the project”.
“We’re delivering this much needed duplication to support communities and the regional economy across Western Victoria,” the statement read.
It is understood a route running adjacent to the existing highway was originally considered but was overlooked due to the greater environmental risk posed compared to the chosen alignment.
The project was also thrown into controversy in 2016 when the body destroyed about 900 old trees after initial estimations stated only 221 would have to be removed.
Debate has also raged around the Aboriginal significance of a number of the trees touted for removal, with some elders claiming the plan would tear out ancient birthing trees.
When completed the works will result in duplicated highway with two lanes in each direction, with additional turning lanes, a new bridge over the railway line, two new bridges over the Hopkins River and an interchange at Hillside Road.
The Western Highway has more than 6500 drivers, including 1500 truck drivers, using the Ararat section each day.
In the five years to December 2015, eight people lost their lives on the Western Highway and 54 people were seriously injured.
While the government is expected to announce the project’s successful contractor in the coming months it’s expected stage two of the project will take about two years to complete. The section was originally intended to be completed in 2016.
