PLANS to duplicate the highway between Sale and Traralgon are still in the planning stages but concerns are already being raised about the proposed changes to the Sale Causeway.
Gippsland South MLA Peter Ryan is proposing a new route for the duplication of the Princes Highway into Sale because of concerns a route proposed by VicRoads will impact on Wurruk businesses.
The VicRoads proposal is to push the Princes Highway to the south of its present location at Wurruk.
A roundabout is also proposed for the corner of the highway and Settlement Rd.
But Mr Ryan said the proposed realignment would encroach on private property and create access problems for local businesses.
He said the proposed roundabout would divert road traffic away from businesses reliant on passing trade.
The new highway should be retained on its present route with the new lanes built on the northern side of the road, according to Mr Ryan.
"To do what VicRoads now proposes seems to needlessly impact on Wurruk businesses,'' he said.
"We've already got an existing alignment that has been unused for a long time ... and the old causeway bridge is derelict and no longer in use, it would make sense to use that route.''
Mr Ryan said the highway duplication was a much longed for project by the community but he didn't want it to be at the expense of businesses.
"We want to ensure businesses on the highway are accessible without motorists having to turn back on themselves,'' he said.
"The travelling public will simply not (back track) and there is a fear for those businesses.
"The true standard of these significant projects is to make sure these matters of importance to small business are addressed.''
The proposed change of plans has been welcomed by Wurruk businesses.
Sale Mazda co-dealer principal Ray Stephenson said he was very worried about plans for the realignment.
He said he and co-dealer Alan Witchel bought their business last year and were in the process of expanding when they heard about the highway relocation.
"We were fine with the highway duplication, it would make it safer for both our staff and our customers,'' he said.
"But we were at the stage of rebuilding and all of a sudden we had to stop plans for rebuilding because we just didn't know how we would be affected by this highway relocation.
"We are in limbo, absolute limbo.''
Mr Stephenson said the proposed changes by Mr Ryan wouldn't impact on his business and would even enhance it.
Rivers Inn owner Allan Mitrevski said his motel (formerly the Riverstay Inn) would lose its existing car park if the proposed realignment went ahead, and would lose highway access from both sides.
He said drivers would have to go through the roundabout, onto Settlement Rd then behind the BP station to enter his premises.
``We don't think people would bother doing it,'' he said.
"We've just reopened and things are quiet as it is, if this (VicRoads proposed realignment) happens we may as well close our doors and bring in the bulldozers.''
The old bridges over the causeway are subject to a heritage overlay, but a Wellington Shire spokesman said the council would be willing to consider removing the overlay if required.
A VicRoads spokesperson said the duplication of the highway was still very much in the planning stages.
"The study includes consultation with land and business owners and will identify a preferred alignment,'' the spokesperson said.
"The preferred alignment will be displayed locally for comment and VicRoads will consider all public submissions received when determining the final alignment for the upgrade.''
The spokesperson said the project aimed to ``balance the needs and expectations of the community and provide a safe and efficient transport link between Sale and Traralgon.''
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