Craig Ingram MP - Independent Member for Gippsland East

The Independent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, has called on the State Government to redirect its road funding policies in Gippsland.

Speaking in State Parliament this week, Mr Ingram called on the State Government to make the eastern section of the Princes Highway a road funding priority.

“The highest road funding priority in Gippsland should be the Princes Highway between Bairnsdale and the New South Wales border,” Mr Ingram said.

“Addressing the winding, narrow sections; straightening, widening and addressing alignments and intersections; and increasing lack of road shoulders on the Princes Highway east of Bairnsdale will have much greater road safety and transport outcomes than completion of duplicating the highway between Sale and Traralgon.

“The estimated $200 million required to duplicate the next stage of the Sale/Traralgon Princes Highway duplication would be much better spent fixing the eastern section of the highway.

“The road safety and transport benefits for fixing the dangerous, narrow, windy sections of this highway far outweigh the slight improvement in travel time and separation that will be gained on the Sale section.

“A political push to place the highest priority on completion of the duplication of the Princes Highway between Sale and Traralgon is severely misplaced, and is compromising road safety objectives and outcomes.

This week, I have outlined my concerns and objections to the Victorian Minister for Roads, Tim Pallas, and the Parliament of Victoria.

“Together with the Gippsland East community and regular drivers on this large section of road, I await the Minister’s positive response on this important matter,” Mr Ingram concluded.