The construction company which will duplicate the Princes Highway between the Geelong Ring Road, near Draytons Road, and Lennox Street, Winchelsea, has been selected, clearing the way for major construction work to begin early next year.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Roads Minister Terry Mulder today announced the $220 million contract has been awarded to BMD, a company with extensive experience and expertise in delivering major infrastructure projects.

“The Gillard Government is committed to working with the Victorian Government to deliver this long-overdue upgrade as quickly as possible. We understand that the task of renewing and expanding our nation’s infrastructure will require a partnership between all levels of government,” Mr Albanese said.

“This road project is exactly what our Nation Building Program is all about. It will put more than 120 Victorians to work building the modern, well-planned infrastructure the community expects and our economy needs.

“Indeed we’re making a long-term investment in a vital piece of economic infrastructure which links many of the state’s primary producers and manufacturers to Geelong and Melbourne, and ultimately to their international customers.”

The duplication of the Princes Highway between Waurn Ponds and Winchelsea is being jointly funded by the Victorian and Australian Governments.

Mr Mulder said the upgrade would provide 23 kilometres of divided two-lane highway and include protected turn lanes and a service road for safe access to properties beside the highway at Buckley.

“The works also involve construction of a new bridge to carry Colac-bound highway lanes over the Geelong-Warrnambool railway line, as well as an upgrade of the existing highway bridge, to carry Geelong-bound traffic,” Mr Mulder said.

“Once this upgrade is completed, motorists and truck drivers will be able to travel for more than 100 kilometres out of Melbourne before encountering a single traffic light.

“Preliminary works are now underway at Buckley with major construction set to start next year and be completed through to Winchelsea in 2014.”