THE Ararat to Buangor section of the Western Highway duplication has been put to tender following the shortlisting of construction firms for the project.
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A winning tender is expected to be announced by the end of 2016 when detailed design work will start.
Pre-construction work is also due to start, including fence construction, with work to begin in early 2017.
Ararat Rural City Mayor Paul Hooper he was fully supportive of the project.
“We know major projects like this are important for local communities in this area,” he said.
“It creates construction jobs, boosts the town economy – as construction workers choose to relocate to our town – and attracts investment to Ararat through improved transport links.
“Many locals have been affected by road tragedy and are familiar with the high number of fatalities and serious injuries on this road.
“We as a community want to ensure that no-one has to experience the pain and long-term effects of road trauma and the duplication of the highway will mean a safer journey for future generations.”
VicRoads project director Michael McCarthy said BMD Constructions, Lendlease Engineering and a joint-bid by CPB Contractors and Seymour Whyte Construction will put forward tenders.
“We want their expertise in detailed design and construction and are looking for innovative solutions to provide the best outcome for communities and the 6500 motorists that use this road each day,” he said.
“This is exciting progress for the $672.3 million Western Highway duplication project, which will feature two lanes in each direction and give motorists who drive between Melbourne and Adelaide a safer, more reliable and efficient journey.
“This project will greatly improve safety on this nationally significant highway, which has 72 crashes between Ballarat and Stawell in a five year period, including five fatalities and 32 serious injuries.”
The federal government has committed $501.3 million and the state government $171 million to the duplication between Ballarat and Stawell.