The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien has welcomed the endorsement of One Gippsland of his campaign for funding to address Leongatha’s most confusing intersection.
One Gippsland, the regional lobby group of councils and other agencies has listed the Leongatha Heavy Vehicle Alternate Route – Stage 2 among its key road projects for advocacy to the State Government.
The Leongatha Heavy Vehicle Alternate Route would seek to fix the intersection of the Strzelecki and South Gippsland Highways, colloquially known as “Kamikaze Corner” due to its confusing and dangerous nature.
“I have been campaigning to have this intersection fixed for a number of years and The Nationals committed funding at the last election to undertake the necessary planning and design work for the alternate route. It’s great to have One Gippsland onboard with this project and it is now only the Allan Labor government that is refusing to take any action.
“This intersection is confusing and dangerous for locals and visitors alike and work needs to be undertaken to finish the Leongatha Heavy Vehicle Alternate Route that was started 10 years ago.
“With increasing traffic on the South Gippsland Highway, including from the closure of the Pakenham saleyards, we need the State Labor Government to take action. One Gippsland has recognised that, I have recognised it and thousands of community members in Leongatha and surrounds also recognise it.”
Mr O’Brien noted One Gippsland’s support for the Sale Alternate Truck Route but said he believes the Traralgon bypass should also be on any list of advocacy projects for Gippsland.
“I have always said that once we completed the Traralgon to Sale duplication on the Princes Highway that we need to get the Traralgon bypass back on the agenda.
“It is time for the State Government to get serious and finalise design and then work with the Commonwealth on securing the significant funding that will be needed.”