Victorian Transport Minister Peter Batchelor and Victorian Senator Tsebin Tchen, representing the Federal Government inspected freeway works nearing completion today at Lara.
“Traffic on the Princes Freeway will be switched onto the new 8 km section of freeway tonight upon completion of crossover works from the old freeway lanes,” Mr Batchelor said.
“At Werribee a 3 km section of the new Geelong-bound carriageway will also open today with three lanes and a 100 km/h speed limit from the city-end of the Maltby Bypass to Duncans Road.
“Works are well advanced all along the 50 km freeway route, and new freeway sections will progressively open up from today and over the next six to eight months,” Mr Batchelor said.
Senator Tsebin Tchen representing the Federal Government welcomed the news that road users and especially the road freight industry will enjoy the safety and economic benefits of the Geelong Road upgrading.
“Manufacturers based in Geelong will greatly benefit from the smoother and safer route with reductions in vehicle wear and tear, travel time and fuel costs assisting the road transport industry and its customers.
“It is good news and very timely that thanks to the Federal Government’s funding of this Road of National Importance project, families can enjoy a better and safer route in time for the Australia Day celebrations,” Senator Tchen said
Mr Batchelor said that with the opening of the new freeway lanes between Lara and Little River drivers, will for the first time be able to travel on a continuous three-lane route for 10 km in total from Corio through to the Little River rest area.
“The State Government’s 'Arrive Alive' strategy aims at cutting the road toll and making driving safer, and opening up new sections of the Geelong Road complements the many other road safety initiatives as part of the strategy.”
“With smoother and wider traffic lanes, and breakdown lanes along the shoulder and median, it is appropriate to re-open this stretch of the upgraded freeway to a 100 km/h speed limit.
“There’s good news also this weekend for travellers to Geelong with new freeway lanes to partially open on the Maltby Bypass at Werribee.
“The new Geelong-bound carriageway has been reconstructed with extra lanes, a smoother road surface and the elimination of sub-standard curves which had contributed to safety problems on the old Maltby Bypass.
“In 1961 this was Victoria’s first section of freeway. Today it is being reconstructed to current safety standards, which include median barriers along the full length of the Bypass.
“Within four months, the upgraded Maltby Bypass with three lanes in each direction should be fully open to traffic. Landscape planting will be completed in the cooler autumn months.
“All along the Geelong Road corridor, regular travellers are witnessing a mass of activity as works progress on widening the freeway to four lanes each way from beyond the Western Ring Road to the Maltby Bypass and three lanes from Werribee to Geelong.
“While drivers will welcome the better and safer conditions on these new sections of the Princes Freeway, more than 30 km of the 50 km route remains with signed 80 km/h speed limits through work zones because of the changed road conditions such as narrowed traffic lanes and breakdown lanes, temporary road surfaces and the close proximity to construction sites.
“Drivers over the Australia Day weekend and at all times need to remain vigilant to the speed limits along the Geelong Road and on other highways across Victoria.
“A major investment is being made on the Princes Freeway to provide a safer route for all, but drivers must play their part to ensure they arrive alive at their holiday destinations and home again,” Mr Batchelor said.
The Federal Government is providing $120 million in funding for the Geelong Road upgrading with the State Government contributing $150 million in funding from the Better Roads Victoria Program.