Speaking in Warrnambool on Thursday, VicRoads chief executive John Merritt said a 2+1 configuration was the most “attractive proposition” for highway upgrades.

The idea, which has been championed by former Corangamite Shire mayor Chris O’Connor, would create one passing lane that alternated between west and east-bound traffic.

The model has been used successfully overseas, making roads safer at a fraction of the cost of duplication.

“The 2+1 basically means that you’re providing the capacity benefits and the safety benefits for a lot less cost,” Mr Merritt said. “It is a really attractive idea because obviously the aim is to make the road safe and if it’s done that way it can fix that problem.”

It’s the first time Mr Merritt has commented on a 2+1 plan for the Princes Highway, although there is no funding attached to the plan.

Regional director Mark Koliba said once duplication work between Winchelsea and Colac was complete, the focus could turn to further works.

“At the moment we’re developing a regional transport strategy that sets out the priorities back to government and, ultimately, we’re going to have to work out how important is the 2+1 compared to other priorities across the region,” he said. 

“In the short-term, the government is really trying to upgrade a lot of the rural network anyway with a lot of wire rope barrier.”