The Australian Government says road safety and freight efficiency improvements across southern New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia have been mapped out in the recently completed Princes Highway Corridor Strategy.
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Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Michael McCormack said the strategy was "a big-picture approach to investment in the corridor, taking into account economic, social and environmental factors".
"The Princes Highway is strategically important for freight movements and connecting key regional industries such as tourism, timber, forestry and agriculture to domestic markets and major ports," Mr McCormack said.
"Currently more than a million people live along the Princes Highway corridor and the strategy will support a range of upgrades that will improve safety and reduce travel times, getting Australians across three states who rely on the highway home, sooner and safer."
He said the Australian Government had committed $1 billion to the corridor through the 2019-20 Budget and the strategy had 14 "key initiatives, including transport infrastructure upgrades to improve safety and freight efficiency, creating a safer corridor that supports economic activity".
He said the strategy included a digital plan for the corridor and prepared for changes in the transport fleet, including electric cars and autonomous vehicles.
"Transport technology is rapidly evolving and it is important our roads are able to adapt to emerging technologies," Mr McCormack said. "We can now engage with local stakeholders on the planning and design of projects over the coming years."
Visit www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/princes-highway/ to view the strategy.
Gilmore MP Fiona Phillips has called on the federal government to commit to fixing the highway at a faster pace.
Australian Community Media has campaigned for a safer Princes Highway since March 2018 with the slogan Fix it Now.
Ms Phillips said the government must "fix it faster".