SEATS congratulates the Albanese and Carroll Govts for completing the strengthening three bridges on the Princes Highway West – so that they could meet the demands of modern traffic volumes and support key industries.

Works on the Dennington, Allansford and Weerite bridges have been completed to keep freight moving along this key route. All three bridges were more than 40 years old and needed to be upgraded to future proof them for years to come.

The route is strategically important for freight movements, and provides regional industries such as forestry, timber and dairy products with access to domestic markets and major ports.

These works were delivered as part of the Australian Government’s $322.9 million investment in upgrading the Princes Highway corridor in Victoria, to improve road safety, better connect people with jobs and services, and deliver goods to market.

These $15.14 million upgrade works were jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian governments, with the Australian Government investing $12.66 million and the Victorian Government $2.48 million.

SEATS is seeking that works on the PH East between Longwarry and Nar Nar Goon also be undertaken in the next term of the Victorian Government to strengthen (and widen) several bridges/culverts and improve the intersection treatments to enable the restoration of the 100kph speed limit which is affecting freight productivity to/from Gippsland.

SEATS seeks that the Victorian Government commit to improving the Princes Highway, between Longwarry and Nar Nar Goon, by allocating $5m towards Planning and Design to have “shovel ready” intersection projects to be delivered commencing 2030, if not sooner.