The state government has announced $3.2 million in funding to upgrade Princes Freeway bridges between Werribee South and Railway Avenue in Laverton.
Werribee MP Tim Pallas said that the funding would be used to strengthen the bridges in order to remove load limits that restrict higher-mass freight vehicles – such as semi-trailers and B-double trucks – from travelling between Geelong and the Port of Melbourne.
The works are part of a $41 million Stronger Bridges, Stronger Economy program, under which 17 bridges on key arterial freight routes across the state are being upgraded.
Mr Pallas said that investing in better roads and bridges would help boost Victoria’s economy by allowing more freight to travel to and from the Port of Melbourne.
“Whether it’s through the massive Western Roads upgrade package, the West Gate Tunnel or these important bridge upgrades – we’re investing in the road network that people in the west need,” Mr Pallas said.
The Western Roads upgrade includes $1.8 billion of works to upgrade eight arterial roads within four years and maintenence of more than 260 kilometres of arterial roads, from Werribee to Footscray, for a further 20 years.
The Princes Freeway Bridge Strengthening Project started in March, 2018, and is expected to be completed later this year.
