Victoria’s Western Highway: Finally Getting the Investment It Desperately Needs

Decades of Neglect End With a $1.1 Billion Overhaul

For years, Victoria’s Western Highway has been in urgent need of upgrades. 

Now, a $1.1 billion investment has been announced to bring the highway up to modern standards, tackling congestion, safety concerns, and infrastructure weaknesses along one of the state’s most critical transport routes.

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Melton to Caroline Springs: A Long-Overdue Freeway Fix

The bulk of the funding will go towards upgrading the freeway between Melton and Caroline Springs—one of the most heavily used stretches of the highway.

This project aims to improve traffic flow, ease bottlenecks, and enhance safety for the thousands of drivers who rely on this route daily.

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$100 Million for a Key Ballarat Intersection

In Warrenheip, a major intersection upgrade at Brewery Tap Road is now on the table, with $100 million allocated for planning. 

This notorious junction has been a challenge for commuters and freight transport alike, and fixing it will be a game-changer for regional connectivity.

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Bridges Reinforced to Keep Freight and Commuters Moving

Critical infrastructure along the highway is also set for improvement. 

More than $6 million will be spent on strengthening the Dimboola Bridge over the Melbourne-Adelaide railway line and Dadswells Bridge over the Mt William Creek floodplain. 

These upgrades will ensure safer, more reliable crossings between Stawell and the South Australian border.

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Too Little, Too Late?

It is sad to say that in 2025, a developed nation like Australia is still having to deal with roads unfit for drivers.

Hopefully, this upcoming Federal Election is not just an opportunity for Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese to flex their political muscles but an opportunity to repair the rest of Australia in the same manner they intend to repair our roads, by rolling up their sleeves and doing a hard day's work.