PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd marked the start of a $200 million upgrade of the Western Highway at Anthony’s Cutting this morning.The Prime Minister turned the first sod for the realignment project that will straighten and duplicate five kilometres of road between Melton West and Bacchus Marsh.Victorian Roads Minister Tim Pallas and Ballarat MHR Catherine King joined Mr Rudd for the milestone.The project is expected to be completed in early 2012 - three months ahead of schedule.Mr Rudd told a throng of media at Anthony's Cutting this morning there had been 21 major accidents on the stretch of road during the past five years.''It's a patch of road that's needed fixing for a long time, so we're very pleased to be able to make a difference,'' he said.Features of the project include: straightening and duplicating five kilometres of highway; six new bridges; two new Melbourne-bound access ramps at Hopetoun Park Road; and a new link will be provided to and from Bacchus Marsh with Woolpack Road extended from Bacchus Marsh Road, with direct freeway connections in all directions via a new interchange. The upgrade at Anthony’s Cutting is a jointly funded project, with the Federal Government contributing $160 million and the State Government $40 million.The project is part of the Australian Government’s $36 billion investment in transport infrastructure and part of the $38 billion Victorian Government Transport Plan.