THE FEDERAL and State Governments have announced they will fund the further duplication of the Western Highway another twelve kilometres between Buangor and Ararat.
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Victorian Premier, Denis Napthine travelled the length and breadth of the highway to Ararat last Thursday to make the significant announcement, that funding to the tune of $157.3 million would be committed to the project.
Tenders for construction of the project between Buangor and Ararat will be called in 2015 with construction expected to get underway soon after.
Dr Napthine said the major upgrade will make it safer and more efficient for road users to travel along the Western Highway.
"With works underway on the highway between Beaufort and Buangor and a contract signed for the Buangor Bypass, this funding will complete the next 12 kilometre section between Buangor and Ararat," he said.
"More than 6,000 vehicles travel along the Western Highway each day and around 30 per cent of these are heavy commercial vehicles.
"Continuing to separate the highway with a wide central median will allow for safe overtaking movements and will greatly reduce the risk of head-on collisions.
"Tragically, the section of road from Ballarat right through to Stawell has been the scene of a number of accidents and some of those have had tragic consequences in terms of loss of life and serious injury.
"We know that usage is going up, so for safety reasons alone, we need to duplicate through to Stawell. However of course for productivity and efficiency reasons also."
Dr Napthine said the continued investment in upgrades to the Western Highway provides additional benefits not just to road users, but those employed to work on construction.
"Good jobs in the local area, good jobs for local sub-contractors, but most importantly giving us a duplicated highway which will improve safety and transport productivity," he said.
Northern Grampians Shire Mayor, Cr Kevin Erwin said he was also pleased by the latest announcement.
"Absolutely, this allows the seemless progression of the duplication instead of having to wind down and then have to restart work," he said.
"Obviously this a another step in the right direction and our next focus has to be to get the duplication right through to Stawell," he said.
"Not forgetting for one moment the bypasses that need to be completed once the planning for them is done."
Cr Erwin said the Western Highway duplication through to Stawell has the capacity to continue to create jobs for local workers.
"Ararat and Stawell will have some benefit in jobs, not long term jobs, but any workforce opportunities are welcome," he said.
Ararat Rural City Mayor, Cr Paul Hooper said Thursday's announcement was another significant and fantastic development.
"I, along with Northern Grampians Shire Mayor, Cr Kevin Erwin and Pyreness Shire Mayor, Cr Robert Vance have worked really hard for this, we've been knocking on doors over a long period of time," he said.
"It is so important that we keep this duplication progressing while we have the workforce here.
"We've been working collaboratively to bring to the attention of politicians at both State and Federal level the importance of this project, particularly considering the level of traffic.
"The Western Highway is the second biggest freight corridor in Australia and 60 percent of produce passes through our region," he said.
"So for safety, amenity and productivity the sooner the entire Western Highway is duplicated through to Stawell, the better."
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the latest announcement was evidence the State and Federal governments were continuing to deliver better infrastructure for our region.
"The Australian Government has allocated a further $97.3 million to continue the upgrade of the Western Highway towards South Australia," he said.
"As the principal road link between Melbourne and Adelaide, the Western Highway supports interstate trade, including agriculture, manufacturing and service activities.
"Improving this road will reduce fuel costs for commuters, tourists and the freight industry."
Federal Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan said the project will help address road safety issues.
"Sadly there have been numerous crashes on the Western Highway in the past seven years, including more than 10 fatalities, this upgrade will help our local families to travel safely to school, the shops and to and from work." he said.
Liberal candidate for Ripon Louise Staley and The Nationals candidate for Ripon Scott Turner said Thursday's announcement was great news for the region's economy.
"The Western Highway upgrade is supporting 480 jobs, so this extra funding will ensure the economic benefits of the project continue to flow to western Victoria," Ms Staley said.
"With work about to commence on the Buangor Bypass, this is a timely announcement and great news for communities and businesses along the highway," Mr Turner said.
The Australian Government is contributing $97.3 million to the project between Buangor and Ararat and the Victorian Government is contributing $60 million.
