Construction of a new 1.2 kilometre Melbourne-bound overtaking lane along the Western Highway at Kiata is now well underway and on track to be completed by the middle of next year.
Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said the Federal and Victorian governments are building a better, safer Western Highway, with the new Kiata overtaking lane one of a number of improvements being made along this vital section of the National Network.
“All up, the Federal Labor Government is investing an unprecedented $500 million over the six year life of our current Nation Building Program to maintain and upgrade the Highway,” said Mr Albanese.
“After all, it is the nation’s second busiest highway and for too long it had been neglected and starved of much needed funding.  Indeed, the current level of Federal investment is more than four times what our predecessors spent during their entire 12 years in office.”
The $1.8 million project is being delivered by P. Miller Contractors Pty Ltd.  It will complement other recently completed improvements, including: the strengthening of the bridge over the rail line at Wail along with the one located at Dadswells Bridge; upgrades to the rest areas at Pink Lake and Deep Lead; and the new trailer exchange just outside Nhill.
Victorian Public Transport and Roads Minister Terry Mulder said the Baillieu Coalition Government is investing heavily in the infrastructure the State’s economy needs and regional communities rely upon.
“Once completed next year, this new overtaking lane at Kiata will give motorists an extra opportunity to pass slower moving vehicles safely, particularly the thousands of trucks and cars pulling caravans that use this stretch of highway every day,” said Mr Mulder.
“But importantly, this is just one of eleven new overtaking lanes we have or will be installing along the Western Highway.  In fact, right now dual overtaking lanes are also being built at Dimboola and planning is well advance on another two to be located to the east and west of Pimpinio.”