The Victorian Government has awarded the contract for stage two works on its $178.6 million upgrade to Plenty Road.
Decmil will deliver works between Bush Boulevard and Bridge Inn Road, including an additional lane in each direction to boost capacity and the installation of new safety barriers.
This work is separate to the works recently conducted by a private developer.
Stage two of the upgrade will see twelve major intersections upgraded, including Waterview Boulevard, Francesca Drive and Bridge Inn Road where traffic lights will be added to boost traffic flow and improve access for local residents.
Plenty Road will be widened from four lanes to six lanes between Bush Boulevard and Riverdale Boulevard, and from two lanes to four lanes between Riverdale Boulevard and Bridge Inn Road.
After extensive community feedback, the State Government will also replace the roundabout at Bridge Inn Road with traffic lights in preparation for the Suburban Roads Upgrade of Bridge Inn Road between Plenty and Yan Yean Roads.
Construction will commence later in 2019 following contractor site establishment and design development works which will be getting underway soon. Stage two is due to be complete by mid-2021.
Plenty Road is a key arterial route through some of Melbourne’s fastest growing suburbs and links the communities of Whittlesea, Doreen and Mernda to Melbourne.
This important upgrade work will slash congestion, particularly during the morning and afternoon peak, and improve access to local jobs, schools, shops and parklands for the 35,000 motorists using this road each day.
Traffic management will be in place during the works including lane changes and some reduced speed limits.
Stage one of the upgrade is well underway and will add a new lane in each direction between McKimmies Road and Bush Boulevard and the upgrade of five intersections for 52,000 drivers travelling on this section every day.
Work on the first stage will also improve cyclist and pedestrian safety with wider and smoother pathways and the installation of safety barriers. Stage one of the upgrade is expected to be complete by mid-2019.
Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan, said Plenty Road connects some of Victoria’s fastest growing regions and the State Government aims to keep up with this growth through the latest stage in its multi-million dollar upgrade project.
“This is yet another key upgrade in Melbourne’s north, along with Yan Yean Road and O’Herns Road, so we can get people where they need to be sooner and safer,” Ms Allan said.
