Speaking in parliament last week, Mr Ingram called on Roads Minister Tim Pallas to take responsibility for the roads, which are currently managed by Wellington Shire Council.

"VicRoads has acknowledged there are some significant safety concerns in this area, and it has upgraded the bookend intersections of Sale-Heyfield Rd with the Princes Highway and the Myrtlebank Rd with the Princes Highway,'' he said.

"Currently these roads are used as an unofficial bypass around Sale from Fulham through to the intersection of the Myrtlebank Rd and the Princes Highway.

"Particularly concerning is the Myrtlebank Rd intersection with the Maffra-Sale Rd and the Sale-Heyfield Rd intersection with Myrtlebank Rd. In past years there has been a major increase in traffic using this route to bypass the traffic lights and roundabouts in Sale.

"The most important upgrade needed is the intersection of Myrtlebank Rd with the Maffra-Sale Rd due to the large amount of heavy traffic using the route.''

Mr Ingram said many global position system units directed motorists to use the unofficial bypass when travelling the Princes Highway.

"I have called on the State Government to investigate opportunities to improve traffic flow safely and examine future planning for this bypass,'' he said.

Meanwhile, land for the Traralgon bypass has been secured following State Planning Minister Justin Madden amendment of the Latrobe Planning Scheme.

Mr Madden said the amendment to reserve and acquire land followed extensive consultation with land owners and the community and puts in place the bypass route as well as a design and development overlay for controlling noise.

"Most importantly this action provides for the protection of coal resources and the separation of the town and existing or future coal mining uses,'' he said.

Last year the government adopted the recommendations of an inquiry by announcing a preferred route to the south of Traralgon for the bypass.