As part of the $3.89 million Shepparton Alternative Route Enhancement Package, works will soon be underway for the upgrade of Old Dookie Road in Shepparton.
The route will be widened and rebuilt between Drummond Road and Doyles Road, making a key freight route safer for commuters and trucks accessing industry in the area.
Works on the upgrade will get underway from Monday 3 April 2017.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the Australian Government is committed to providing a safer, more efficient national road network.
“The Shepparton project is part of the Australian Government’s record $50 billion infrastructure investment programme that is building our future, creating jobs and delivering a more effective national freight corridor,” Mr Chester said.
“These works will improve traffic flow and safety by removing heavy vehicles from central Shepparton, while also catering for the anticipated future growth in the region.”
Federal Member for Murray Damian Drum said the start of works on the upgrade to the Alternative Route was an election commitment fulfilled.
“This project is part of the $3.89 million Shepparton Alternative Route Enhancement Package, to which the Australian Government has committed $2.25 million, with Greater Shepparton City Council funding the balance. This project is one of two under the package, along with the upgrade of the intersection of New Dookie Road and Verney Road,” Mr Drum said.
Greater Shepparton Mayor Dinny Adem said, “The project once complete will provide a much safer road for commuters and trucks to travel on, improving the freight route for trucks to access industry in the area.
“This upgrade will connect the Shepparton East industrial zone to the Shepparton Alternate Route and also fits in well with our proposed GV Bypass as it will be an important component in the East West passage of traffic.”
The Old Dookie Road project is due to be completed in late 2017, with work to then start of the New Dookie Road and Verney Road Intersection Upgrade.
