22 Jun 2018 Wangaratta Chronicle, Wangaratta VIC (General News) MORE upgrades have begun on the Great Alpine Road between Wangaratta and Cobungra, which will improve the popular routes safety and reliability. Work has begun on 34 kilometres of shoulder sealing works along the Great Alpine Road between Wangaratta and Harrietville and planning for additional safety improvements are also under way. Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the works would help support the economies of towns along what is a major tourism route. The Great Alpine Road plays a vital role in the economic prosperity of the North East, Mr McCormack said. It is a key freight route, a popular link through Victorias high country for tourists and people going on skiing holidays and is vital to ensuring communities throughout the region stay connected. Jaclyn Symes (MLC, Northern Victoria) said the works will deliver benefits for local jobs and local economies. Not only will this upgrade make our roads safer, it will support Victorian jobs with a local construction company delivering five kilometres of shoulder construction, sealing and culvert works from the southern end of Freeburgh to McMahons Lane in Smoko, Ms Symes said. These works are expected to be completed by 2020. The Australian and Victorian governments have jointly funded the $8 million Great Alpine Road improvements between Wangaratta and Cobungra through the $345 million Rural and Regional Roads Package. The overall project is expected to be completed in 2021. The works complement the $10 million of safety improvements being undertaken on the Great Alpine Road between Cobungra and Bruthen.