By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
WORKS officially commenced this morning to remove a deadly Longwarry intersection.
Minister for Territories, Local Government and Major Projects Paul Fletcher was on hand to turn the sod at the intersection of Sand Road and the Princes Freeway.
Mr Fletcher said the upgrade, which will elevate local Sand Road traffic from the fast-paced traffic of the freeway, is crucial to the safety of both locals and visitors.
“This particular intersection has a poor road safety history, with 25 crashes where people have been injured from 2009,” he said.
“The new interchange will remove the competing traffic at the intersection and provide a safer environment for those travelling in the region.”
The $31.2 million project is being jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian governments, and is due for completion in late 2017.
Mr Fletcher was joined by Federal McMillan MP Russell Broadbent and State Eastern Victoria Region MP Harriet Shing.
Mr Boadbent commented that the local community, freight operators and the tourism industry had all supported the project.
“The community has advocated for change at the intersection for some time and the region’s growing population now calls for a more significant investment into improving the safety of the intersection,” he said.
“As well as carrying considerable volumes of tourist traffic from Melbourne to the Gippsland region, this is an essential route for Victorian freight operators.”
Once complete, the elevated interchange will also see the removal of the 80km/h speed limit on the freeway. Entry and exit ramps will be installed as well as two roundabouts on either side of the freeway.
Ms Shing invited all members of the community to attend an information session on the project, on Tuesday 13 October, from 5pm to 7pm. The meeting will be held at the Longwarry Hall.
“There will be changes to road access arrangements during this project, so we encourage community members to come and have a chat about how the construction of the interchange might impact them and their travel arrangements.”
The contractor appointed for the project is Cut & Fill.
