By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
NO LONGER just writing in the sand, the Longwarry intersection upgrade is now set in stone.
Work on the $31.2 million interchange at the intersection of Sand Road and the Princes Freeway East will soon be a construction site.
Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss announced the project on Thursday 20 August.
“Upgrading this key intersection on one of the region’s busiest freight corridors will greatly improve safety and efficiency, boosting the local and regional economy,” Mr Truss said.
Jointly funded by the Australian Government who are delivering $22.5 million and the Victorian Government putting in $8.7 million, the interchange is set to start construction late this year.
Long-term advocate for the upgrade, Federal Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent said the works would deliver new entry and exit ramps.
“Two new roundabouts will be constructed to provide further connections to Sand Road, the freeway and nearby service centres, and to provide safer and easier travel.
“A bridge will also be built over the freeway,” Mr Broadbent explained.
Works are expected to be completed by mid-2017 with Cut and Fill Civil Engineering Pty Ltd carrying out the project.
Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said the new interchange would offer measurable benefits to the local community.
“The Victorian economy relies heavily on the freight industry and this improvement will ensure freight can move between locations safely and efficiently,” Ms Shing said.
