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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.

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russell.northe@parliament.vic.gov.au www.russellnorthe.com.au 66 George St, Morwell VIC 3840 ph 03 5133 9088 fax 03 5133 9388

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"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

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