Upgrade works start on Princes Highway at Mt Drummer

Upgrade works will soon start on a section of the Princes Highway in East Gippsland at Mount Drummer, which will boost safety, reliability, and efficiency for all road users.

The $3.6 million project will involve widening the road at tight corners, drainage works and constructing slow vehicle pullover lanes.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and

Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the works are funded through a $50 million Australian and Victorian government investment.

“The Princes Highway is a critical freight and tourism corridor for East Gippsland, which is why this work must be undertaken,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“The upgrades will provide a safer and more reliable journey for the communities and industries that rely on this important rural route.”

Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll said the project would improve safety on a winding 3.5-kilometre section of the highway.

“The Princes Highway is one of the state's most popular tourist and freight routes and carries a high volume of long-distance travellers, which heightens the risk of fatigue-related crashes,” Minister Carroll said.

“These upgrades will reduce the likelihood of crashes by assisting road users in safely negotiating the curves while the slow-vehicle pullover lanes will provide a safe place for vehicles to pull over and allow for safe overtaking.”

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said regional roads are vital when it comes to transporting goods into and out of country Victoria.

“These upgrades will not only enhance safety for everyone travelling on the Princes Highway through East Gippsland but also make it more freight-friendly,” Mr Chester said.

State Member for Eastern Victoria Jane Garrett said the works would be delivered over the coming months.

“As the weather warms up, our crews will be working to improve the highway to ensure safer journeys for all motorists and to drive down road trauma in East Gippsland,” Ms Garrett said.

This project is part of the Australian and Victorian governments’ $50 million investment package to upgrade the Princes Highway between Sale and the New South Wales border.

For more information, visit the Regional Roads Victoria website.