Victoria’s Big Build projects are ramping up in the next few months, promising smoother and faster travel across Melbourne.
Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Danny Pearson, said, “Our road and rail projects are powering ahead across Melbourne and nearing completion – this important work will cut congestion and deliver safer connections across our city.”
Works on the congestion-busting West Gate Tunnel Project will continue to widen the West Gate Freeway to 12 lanes, improving traffic flow and increasing capacity – following the completion of 21km of new road deck.
The interchange at the M80 Ring Road will be transformed to make way for four new lanes on the West Gate Freeway, requiring the M80 Ring Road Altona-bound to the West Gate Freeway citybound to be closed between Friday, 6 September to Monday, 23 September to resurface, strengthen and widen the ramp.
The Williamstown Road inbound exit ramp will be closed from early October to mid-November to install a new walking and cycling bridge over the top of the ramp.
While works on the new 2.5km cycling superhighway are ongoing, a section of Footscray Road will be closed between Tuesday, 1 October until Sunday, 20 October.
Since July last year, more than 20,000km have been clocked testing trains on the Metro Tunnel – but there is more to be done, leading to weekend closures on the Sunbury, Cranbourne/Pakenham and Gippsland lines from October to November with buses replacing trains for some sections of the line.
A huge construction blitz is also underway as the Suburban Rail Loop moves utilities ahead of tunnelling, requiring a full closure of Clayton Road between Colonel Street and Haughton Road from 27 August until late October.
With work powering ahead on all six SRL East station sites between Cheltenham and Box Hill there will be lane and road closures on Clayton Road in Clayton, Burwood Highway in Burwood, Coleman Parade in Glen Waverley and Whitehorse Road in Box Hill.
Tunnelling has begun on the North East Link, and preparations to upgrade the M80 Ring Road and Eastern Freeway continue. In October, buses will replace trains on sections of the Hurstbridge line for three weeks as tracks and signalling are upgraded to extend a rail tunnel, so the new North East Link can be built over the Hurstbridge line.
Significant road upgrades are being made at Racecourse Road, McGregor Road, and the Princes Freeway in Pakenham to improve traffic flow and reduce bottlenecks – motorists may experience some disruptions.
Victorian Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams, said, “We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work to deliver these essential improvements that will deliver a safer, faster, and more connected transport network for all Victorians.”
Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne said, “These works are transforming the way people travel right and delivering smoother, safer journeys for all.”
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