Princes Highway

The Princes Highway between Waurn Ponds and Winchelsea in Victoria, Australia, has seen the opening of the first section between Draytons Road and Cape Otway Road, which is 3.5km long.

The Waurn Ponds to Winchelsea Princes Highway duplication is said to be part of the $7.6bn commitment by the Australian Government to Victoria’s transport infrastructure.

According to the deputy prime minister and minister for infrastructure and regional development Warren Truss, the $171m project was equally funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments.

Truss said: "By making the right infrastructure choices today, we are creating a stronger country for tomorrow."

"By making the right infrastructure choices today, we are creating a stronger country for tomorrow."

"These improvements are helping to fortify Victoria’s social and economic development by providing increased capacity on roads, reducing transit times, improving traffic flow and providing greater safety for the community at large."

Federal member for Corangamite Sarah Henderson, who opened the works, said following the opening of the first section, motorists will now spend less time in traffic.

The first stage of works is claimed to have successfully delivered a four-lane divided highway and provided a reliable route for motorists.

Henderson said: "Motorists can now drive from the Geelong Ring Road and continue on the first section of the new highway for 3.5km to Cape Otway Road."

Works from Waurn Ponds to Winchelsea are slated for completion in mid-2015, with work in Winchelsea expected to be completed in mid-2016.

Image: The Princes Highway at Eden, New South Wales, Australia. Photo: courtesy of Smegs07.