The Victorian Government has begun construction on the first stage of the $175 million Thompsons Road upgrade in Melbourne’s south east.
The upgrade will include the removal of the level crossing on the Cranbourne line in Lyndhurst and the construction of a six lane bridge to be built over the railway line. Marriott Boulevard to the South Gippsland Highway will also be duplicated.
New paths and improved lighting for pedestrians and cyclists will also be constructed, improving the connection to and from the Merinda Park train station.
Between Dandenong-Frankston Road and Berwick-Cranbourne (Clyde) Road there have been 156 reported accidents in the last five years – with 45 of those resulting in serious injury. The upgrade will improve safety in the area, helping to avoid accidents like these in future.
Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Luke Donnellan, said, “We’re putting people first and cutting travel times, boosting safety and supporting the South East’s growing population.
“Thompsons Road is in the middle of one of Australia’s fastest growing regions and this project is important to getting people to their daily destinations efficiently and safely.”
This first stage of the Thompsons Road upgrade will be completed by late 2018.
Stage two upgrade works will widen Thompsons Road from Dandenong-Frankston Road to Marriott Boulevard and from Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road to Berwick Cranbourne Road.
10km of new shared use path for cyclists and pedestrians will also be constructed along Thompsons Road, including 8.2km on the north side, and 1.5km on the south between Western Port Highway and Evans Road.
The contract for construction for this second stage is expected to be awarded mid-2017, with the whole project completed by mid-2019.
