Great Alpine Road upgrade to begin

Construction is set to begin to improve a key freight route for the southeast Victorian timber and agriculture industries as part of a $10 million Great Alpine Road upgrade.

Works are set to start between Cobungra and Bruthen in southeast Victoria, improving road safety, access and route reliability for motorists.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Barnaby Joyce said the upgrade works would help support the economic prosperity of the region.

“The Great Alpine Road is a key freight route for the area’s timber, agriculture and tourism industries, making these works an important part of supporting the region’s economy as well as local jobs,” Mr. Joyce said.

Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Luke Donnellan, said the upgrade would improve safety for drivers.

“We want to give tourists and residents a safer and more reliable road when they travel through the region,” Mr. Donnellan said.

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Australian Government had worked closely with the Victorian Government over the previous year to make travel on all Victorian roads safer.

“We know regional Australia is disproportionately impacted by road accidents, and an investment like this will change lives and save lives in the Gippsland community,” Mr. Chester said.

“Upgrades, including shoulder construction and sealing, are now complete at Tambo Crossing as well as between Omeo and Tongio, and I am looking forward to seeing the completion of the overall upgrade in early 2021.”

Victorian Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said that when completed, the upgrade would provide a significant boost to the region.

“These works are part of a broader package of upgrades for the Great Alpine Road, with further improvements to be undertaken between Cobungra and Bruthen throughout 2018,” Ms. Shing said.

The Australian and Victorian governments are jointly funding the $10 million project, which started construction in October 2017.

The project complements the $8 million upgrade of the Great Alpine Road between Cobungra and Wangaratta and is expected to commence in early 2018.