Final Winchelsea-Colac duplication works begin

WORKS have started on the last stage of duplicating the Princes Highway between Winchelsea and Colac.

Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson said last month that the final section involved duplication of 8.5 kilometres of highway, between Warncoort and Baillie Street in East Colac.

“The completed project will increase capacity, improve travel time reliability and vehicle safety and reduce vehicle operating costs and environmental emissions. I am delighted that the project is on track and the issue of using the borrow pits for road making soil has been settled.”

The Winchelsea to Colac duplication is a joint $363.5 million project between the state and federal governments. Once completed, the project will duplicate 35 kilometres of the Princes Highway from Deans Marsh Road in Winchelsea to Baillie Street in Colac.

“The Turnbull Government has proudly committed $181.7 million to this project, which includes upgrading existing bridges, upgrading pedestrian and cycling paths and grade-separating the Geelong-Warrnambool rail line near Warncoort,” Ms Henderson said.

“The Princes Highway duplication from Waurn Ponds to Colac is such a vital project for the Corangamite electorate and south-west Victoria – for road safety, jobs and as an incentive to bring new industries to regional Victoria.”