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To SAFETY?
Princes Highway West is the major inter-regional transport corridor that connects the communities of south-west of Victoria to ports, airports, road, rail and capital cities in the South-East of Australia.
Major upgrading of the highway is required to improve the efficiencies of transport access for industry to these major population and commercial centres and the ports of Melbourne, Geelong and Portland. 1.
The Princes Highway West is currently the responsibility of the State Government who have recognised and acknowledged the need for duplication and upgrades to ensure the road meets safety and infrastructure standards.
RACV Chief Engineer Traffic and Roads, Peter Daly, said the Princes Highway West – where 24 people were killed in 165 crashes from 2000-2005 – “was simply not up to scratch.” 2.
“Headline” reasons why Princes Highway West needs duplication and upgrading now
- We need to save lives and reduce serious injury accidents. The accident rate for the region has increased by 1.91% every year between 1993 and 2005. At the same time, Victoria has seen a 0.96% decrease.
- At current rates at least 50 deaths and 360 serious injuries can be expected over the next 10 years with a CPI adjusted economic impact of $342 million.
- Over 6.6 million people visit the Great Ocean Road Region each year and the completion of the Geelong Bypass will increase the number of people accessing our region and all it has to offer.
“Duplicating and upgrading the Princes Highway will reduce the incidence and severity of road crashes, and their associated trauma to individuals and cost to the community as a whole in line with Federal and State strategies and targets.” 3.
“Sections of the Princes Highway West have been described as ‘abysmal’ after it scored low points in RACV’s first ever safety-star ratings, demonstrating just how dangerous it can be.
RACV believes this is totally unacceptable for such an important highway. Upgrades are urgently required to bring this highway up to four stars in the short term and possibly five stars in the longer term.” 2.
- Position statement for Princes Highway West, PHW Alliance of local government
- Media Release “Princes Highway West ‘abysmal’, says RACV RACV 23/2/07
- Duplication and upgrading of Princes Highway West – Save lives, grow our economy PHW Alliance of local government
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