That was the tough challenge Warrnambool Mayor Mike Neoh and fellow councillor Rob Askew set for the State Government yesterday.

Councillors Neoh and Askew said lives were being put at risk because of the Government's lack of spending on the south-west's section of Highway One.

The pair called for four passing lanes to be built between Terang and Port Fairy immediately.

"The south-west community shouldn't have to tolerate a waiting game in anticipation of state election promises from either side of the political fence," Cr Neoh said. "If the State Government is governing for all of the state then as a sign of goodwill it needs to start with a minimum of these four passing lanes in this financial year."

Cr Neoh said the Princes Highway should be duplicated from Colac to the South Australian border, but he realised that was a long-term goal.

He called for 30 passing lanes to be funded in the short-term, with two between Terang and Warrnambool and a further two between the city and Port Fairy a top priority.

Cr Askew said if a driver got stuck behind a truck between Terang and Warrnambool there were few safe passing opportunities until Allansford.

"Even then its sub-standard. It's not even a second-class highway," he said.

Traffic has surged on the Hopkins and Hamilton highways since the opening of the Geelong bypass.

Use has also spiked on Foxhow Road, north of Camperdown, as motorists dodge the Princes Highway.

Cr Neoh was appalled Princes Highway West had deteriorated to the point where drivers avoided it in favour of narrower, minor roads.

A Government spokesman said: "The Brumby Labor Government is committed to improving Victoria's regional road network and balances road projects on a statewide basis".