The Federal Government has announced about $229 million worth of highway upgrades nationwide.

Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss says the funds will improve Australia's key national highway networks.

The package will provide all sorts of major upgrades, including;

  • $77 million for the Newell Highway in News South Wales
  • $44 million for improvements to the Western Highway, Hume Freeway, Monash Freeway and Goulburn Valley Highway in Victoria
  • $40 million to upgrade the Great Northern Highway in WA
  • $25 million for improvements to the Sturt Highway in South Australia
  • $20 million to flood-proof the Victoria Highway in the Northern Territory
  • $10 million for works on the Bass Highway in Tasmania
  • $4 million for new truck lay-bys on the Federal Highway in the ACT

“[These programmes] will fund much-needed upgrading works around Australia such as shoulder and centreline widening, ripple strips and wire rope barriers, overtaking lanes, turning lanes and pavement improvements,” Mr Truss said.

Construction for all projects is expected to begin this year.