THE state government will use its 2018/19 budget, due to be released next week, to fund Western Highway bypasses of Ararat and Beaufort.
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The budget will include $98 million for planning and pre-construction of new bypasses on the Western Highway at Beaufort and Ararat, as well as $40 million to upgrade the Princes Highway West between Colac and the South Australian border.
Key sections of the Calder Highway, Hamilton Highway and the Kiewa Valley Highway will be upgraded to improve safety, travel times and freight productivity.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the projects would improve safety.
“As someone who grew up in country Victoria, I know how important safe and reliable roads are for regional communities,” he said.
“This ground-breaking investment will upgrade regional roads right across the state – and for the first time give our regional road network the direct attention it deserves.”
In February, the state and federal governments awarded a contract for the Western Highway duplication between Buangor and Ararat, a major milestone for a project plagued by delays.
The contract to duplicate 12.5 kilometres of the highway has been awarded to a joint venture with multinational company CPB Contractors and Sydney-based firm Seymour Whyte Constructions.
More to come.