Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, today welcomed funding for a $1 million upgrade to a Princes Highway intersection at Montgomery just west of Stratford. The upgrade is part of the Coalition’s $17.7 million package to treat and improve high risk roads and intersections across Victoria.
The Victorian Coalition Government has invested $1 billion over the 10 years for the Safer Road Infrastructure Program (SRIP), a key initiative of Victoria’s Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan. SRIP is funded through the Transport Action Commission (TAC) and is delivered by VicRoads.
“The intersection will be significantly upgraded to include new turning lanes, new street lighting to enhance visibility, wire rope safety barriers and the complete resealing of the intersection to improve skid resistance, particularly in wet conditions,” Mr Bull said.
This intersection is in a rural area where two local roads intersect with a major highway on a sweeping bend in a 100 km/h zone.
During the five year period ending December 2013 there were three serious crashes at this intersection, all resulting in hospitalisations.
“This funding is in addition to the almost $25 million for road safety improvements the Victorian Coalition Government has provided for the Gippsland East area since coming to office,” Mr Bull said.
Previous projects include a new roundabout at Paynesville Rd, Eagle Point; six electronic messaging signs, rumble strips and linemarking between Stratford and Bairnsdale townships; and wire rope barriers, shoulder sealing, drainage works, guideposts, rumble strips, warning signs and tree removal along Princes Highway East.
“The Victorian Coalition Government is building a better Victoria by delivering vital safety upgrades to the regional road network through this program,” Mr Bull said
Assistant Treasurer Gordon Rich-Phillips said the Victorian Coalition Government has approved more than $109 million in the past year for 95 SRIP projects across the State.
“An initial $17.7 million will be invested in 26 road safety projects across Victoria, which includes $14 million for 16 projects in regional Victoria,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.
“The Victorian Government is committed to reducing the road toll and the number of deaths on the State’s roads is at a 90 year low. We are also focused on reducing serious injuries,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.
Minister for Roads Terry Mulder said that further projects will be announced as high-risk sites are assessed for these specialised treatments.