Princes Highway East Duplication

Traralgon to Sale (Stage 3)

BildGroup was engaged to deliver the Flynn section of the Princes Highway East Duplication, consisting of a 4 km highway duplication between Sheepwash Creek and Flynn’s Creek Road. The Flynn section now boasts a new eastbound carriageway and a rehabilitated westbound carriageway, with significant upgrades to intersections and other safety improvements.

A major part of the project involved constructing a new carriageway for eastbound traffic, with a 15-metre wide median for added safety, and a rehabilitated westbound carriageway, providing consistent two lanes in each direction. The upgrade at Barrs Lane and Stuckey’s Lane intersections accommodated larger vehicles, including B-double trucks and over-dimensional loads. To ensure proper drainage, extensive new drainage structures were installed, including large triple-cell box culverts at Sandy Creek and large triple-cell pipes at Fergusons Gully.

A key aspect of the scope was the safety improvements for this hazardous section of highway that required the installation of guardrails and wire rope barriers along the entire alignment. The project also involved the removal of redundant sewer mains and the protection of essential gas transmission mains and overhead power assets. The scope also included upgrades to drainage, street lighting, signage, line marking, and landscaping to improve the durability, functionality, and aesthetics of the highway.

Despite challenging weather conditions, the project showcased our expertise in flexible pavement construction, pavement rehabilitation, and traffic management for regional highways. We successfully delivered earthworks and pavements, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.

The cost-saving initiatives included:

• redesigning verge construction,
• adjusting to new standards to optimise previously over-designed barriers, and
• negotiating agreements with landowners for the supply of fill material and construction water.

This upgrade has significantly improved the safety and efficiency of the highway, benefiting the community by reducing travel times, enhancing road safety, and ensuring a smoother traffic flow.

The total project value was $37 million, completed two months ahead of schedule in February 2023.