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Darren Chester calls for Federal government funding to complete Sale alternative route safety upgrade project

Darren Chester urges the federal government to match State funding for the Sale alternative route upgrade, including a new roundabout, to improve safety and productivity for locals and visitors.

By news@gippsland - 6th January 2025 - Back to News

Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is calling on the federal government to commit funding for an important road safety project that was half-funded in last year's State Budget. Mr Chester said the plan to upgrade the Sale alternative route, including a new roundabout on the Maffra-Sale Rd intersection, had stagnated under the Albanese government.

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says the federal government should provide its share of funding for a major intersection upgrade on the Sale alternative route

Road funding stalled

Mr Chester said, "Transport Minister Catherine King has wasted almost three years in the job without funding a single new road project in Gippsland. The Princes Highway duplication and bridge strengthening on the Sale alternative route were all funded by the previous government, and we're waiting for the Minister to show some interest in the next stage of road safety upgrades."

Mr Chester said the popular alternative to using the Princes Highway to effectively bypass Sale needed additional funding to improve safety and productivity for locals and visitors. "The state government finally agreed to provide $10.9 million for the roundabout project on the Sale alternative route after years of lobbying by local council, transport operators and my office."

Bridge funding urgency

Mr Chester said, "Now we need the Albanese government to come on board with a matching grant, and we can get the job started. We need to see a commitment to deliver funding for safety and productivity improvements on key road corridors, which will save lives, create jobs and deliver long-term benefits to the region."

"Once the bridge strengthening work is completed, we should be getting started on the new roundabout as a matter of urgency, but that will require the federal government to deliver the additional funding," Mr Chester said.

Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com