Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News

Princes Freeway At Morwell To Reopen  Reopening of the freeway Nationals Member for Morwell Russell Northe has announced that the Princes Freeway at Morwell, closed since 10 February, will reopen next Wednesday 21 September. By Russell Northe - 16th September 2011 - Back to News "VicRoads has all but completed the remedial works required to allow for the reopening of the freeway ahead of the school holidays.
"Reopening the freeway on Wednesday will give the local community and those travelling to Gippsland for the school holidays a couple of days to get used to the reinstated traffic conditions before the holidays commence," Mr Northe said.
Mr Northe said the reopening was the culmination of months of work from a number of agencies whose main focus was returning the freeway to a condition where it was safe for all road users.
"I would like to thank VicRoads, the Department of Primary Industries, Victoria Police and the Latrobe City Council for their tireless work in making the reopening possible.
"Together they have now put a Traffic Management Plan in place which will safely allow drivers full access to the freeway.
The reopening of the freeway will be phased in throughout the day.
"The reopening will start following Wednesday’s morning peak and is expected to take most of the day. The freeway will be fully open for evening traffic.
"I’m urging the community to be patient and exercise safety and caution at all times while the freeway is gradually reopened, as there will be some temporary conditions in place during the day.
Drivers may notice changes along the freeway, in particular VMS signs that form part of the emergency closure system.
"A series of electronic message signs have been installed on the roadside and can be activated to advise drivers that the road is closed ahead in the event that another major rain event is deemed to potentially compromise the freeway.
"In conjunction with these signs are new emergency crossover points in the centre median that will allow drivers to perform a u-turn prior to the closed section of freeway.
In addition, VicRoads has also lined the median in sections of the freeway to minimise the amount of water that could seep underground during heavy rainfall.
Senior Sergeant Dave Watson from the Latrobe Highway Patrol said there will be a highly visible police presence in the area to ensure drivers are complying with speed limits and travelling safely.
…/2
russell.northe@parliament.vic.gov.au www.russellnorthe.com.au 66 George St, Morwell VIC 3840 ph 03 5133 9088 fax 03 5133 9388
-2-
"Drivers need to be aware that the current revised speed limits are still in place around Morwell and will be enforced until they are changed back."
Work is continuing to finalise the best design for the Morwell Main Drain. There is still a need to complete this work and it is being discussed by International Power and the Department of Primary Industries.
"When works start on the Morwell main drain, there may be some slight disruptions to freeway traffic, but the community will be informed in advance," said Mr Northe.
"I would also like to thank the entire Gippsland community for their ongoing patience while the freeway has been closed, in particular Morwell residents who have been impacted by the diversion through town."
Media: Russell Northe 0408 225 523 / Julia Auciello 5133 9088
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com

Related Articles- Princes Highway $2M upgrade improves safety and access for pedestrians at Lakes Entrance and Kalimna
Nearly $2 million in joint government funding will upgrade Princes Highway at Lakes Entrance and Kalimna, improving pedestrian safety, access, and traffic flow with new medians, lighting, safety platforms, and path reconstruction. - Latrobe City welcomes proposed $10B Morwell data centre boosting economy, jobs, and industry
Latrobe City Council welcomes Keppel’s proposed $10 billion Morwell data centre, Australia’s largest, leveraging existing energy infrastructure to create jobs, support workforce transition, and drive long-term economic and industrial growth. - Martin Cameron criticises Labor government over delayed Morwell sobering-up facility, broken promises and lack of ministerial accountability
Martin Cameron criticised the Allan Labor government for failing to deliver the promised Morwell sobering-up facility, ignoring repeated parliamentary questions, leaving the Latrobe Valley without adequate public intoxication support. - Latrobe City invites community to celebrate International Rose Garden Festival Morwell with lights, music and fun on 7-8 November 2025
Latrobe City Council invites everyone to the free International Rose Garden Festival Morwell, 7-8 November 2025, featuring night lights, live music, workshops, market stalls, performers, and over 4,000 blooming roses. - East Gippsland residents invited to author talk on Pearl Bradshaw - Princess of Hotham on 10 September 2025
Author Stephen Whiteside will present Pearl Bradshaw - Princess of Hotham, sharing remarkable stories of resilience, adventure, and history at special East Gippsland library talks on Wednesday 10 September. - Thurra River bridge and campground reopen for holidays, offering access to Croajingolong's forests, trails, and beaches
Thurra River Bridge and campground reopen for holidays, restoring access to Croajingolong's forests, trails, and beaches after fire and flood damage, with resilient infrastructure upgrades ensuring long-term safety and community enjoyment. - Latrobe City outdoor pools set to reopen for summer with weather-based opening days ahead
Latrobe City’s outdoor pools reopen 29 November, operating on days forecast at 25 degrees celsius. Moe and Yallourn North offer family-friendly facilities, with Yallourn North free. Council highlights community enjoyment and water-safety benefits. - Darren Chester and Martin Cameron launch petition urging action on long-delayed Traralgon Princes Highway bypass project
Darren Chester and Martin Cameron have launched a community petition urging state and federal governments to prioritise funding and design work for the long-delayed Traralgon Princes Highway bypass to ease congestion. - Nationals pledge to restore Parentline funding, criticise Labor's decision to axe vital family counselling service for Gippslanders
The Nationals vow to reinstate Parentline funding if elected, condemning Labor's cut to the vital family counselling service that supports Victorian parents, particularly in regional communities facing limited access to services. - Darren Chester honours all who served, remembering lives lost, wounded, and the enduring impact on Darwin’s community
Australia marks Bombing of Darwin Day on February 19, honouring more than 240 killed in 1942 and recognising wartime sacrifice, resilience, and the ongoing need to properly resource Defence personnel. - Martin Cameron criticises WorkSafe, calling system flawed after apprentice Byron Foley’s catastrophic injury
Morwell MP Martin Cameron criticises Victoria’s "fundamentally broken" WorkSafe system, highlighting apprentice Byron Foley’s catastrophic injury, ongoing struggles, and calling for urgent reform, fairer compensation, and better support services. - Martin Cameron criticises Allan Labor government for neglecting regional PSOs while funding Melbourne stations
Morwell MP Martin Cameron criticises Allan Labor Government for neglecting regional PSOs, citing rising Gippsland crime and calling for equal safety protections and additional officers under Coalition plans. - Martin Cameron slams Labor’s delayed Loy Yang rehabilitation plan, calling it tone-deaf and ignoring immediate Latrobe Valley job losses
Morwell MP Martin Cameron criticises Labor’s delayed Loy Yang rehabilitation plan, calling it tone-deaf, failing to provide immediate jobs or industry support for the Latrobe Valley amid coal power closures. - Martin Cameron criticises stalled Traralgon underpass, urges overpass alternative for delayed pedestrian safety project
Morwell MP Martin Cameron criticises nearly three-year delay on Traralgon underpass, urging government to clarify plans or consider a safer overpass for students and pedestrians crossing the train line. - Head south to Lake Tyers Beach, admire Stony Creek Trestle Bridge, enjoy swimming, fishing, picnics, then dine at Lake Tyers Beach Tavern
Morwell River Falls Reserve, near Boolarra, offers a fern-filled valley, cascading waterfalls, and scenic pools, just over two hours from Melbourne, perfect for a short, peaceful bushland walk. - Labor government's VicGrid laws pass with crossbench backing amid Nationals' warning of property rights erosion
The Allan government's VicGrid laws passed with crossbench support, sparking Nationals' criticism over lost property rights, silenced regional voices, and overreach. The Nationals vow repeal in 2026 to restore landholder protections. - Darren Chester supports reforming the Coalition to unite Liberals and Nationals and deliver stronger government for Australia
Darren Chester welcomes the re-formed Coalition, united to hold Labor to account, focus on cost of living, families, regions and security, and develop sensible policies for a safer, stronger, fairer Australia. - Darren Chester braces Gippslanders demand for safer roads as funding stalls while initiatives like Cycling Without Age grow
Gippslanders demand urgent road repairs, with Princes Highway neglected for years, while initiatives like Cycling Without Age provide older residents joy, connection, and community engagement across the region. - Allan Labor government backs regional footy and netball with $1.5M from 2025-26 Country Football and Netball Program
The Allan Labor government is investing $1.5 million in Morwell sports clubs through the Country Football and Netball Program, while opening new grants to upgrade regional facilities and boost community participation.
|
|