Major works on $1.4bn Monash Freeway upgrade Stage 2 commences

Stage 2 of the $1.4 billion Monash Freeway upgrade in Victoria is now under construction and the centre media of the road corridor has been transformed into a work site. The beginning of construction is being supported by an additional $367.5 million funding committed by the Federal and State Governments.

This vital upgrade is set to support the growing traffic numbers in the expanding south east.

“We want to meet the huge demand for this corridor which is why beyond adding extra lanes, we’re improving links to the Monash.

“It’s all part of the Federal Government’s record $100 billion pipeline of infrastructure projects helping Australians reach their destinations more safely and quickly,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said.

With the Monash Freeway upgrade, thousands of local motorists will be able to get to home sooner and safer.

“It’s a game-changer for the hard-working people who travel on the Monash every day and who don’t want to be sitting bumper to bumper traffic.

“People will be saving as much as 1 hour and forty minutes a week across peak hour trips between Malvern and Pakenham,” Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said.

Source: Major Road Projects Victoria

The second stage of the Monash Freeway upgrade will include:

• Adding 36 kilometres of new lane on the Monash and Princes Freeways between Warrigal Road and Eastlink outbound; Eastlink to Springvale Road inbound; and Clyde Road to Cardinia Road in both directions
• Connecting Police Road to the freeway with an outbound on-ramp
• Connecting the Jacksons Road outbound ramps directly to Eastlink with a separate road
• Adding two extra lanes in each direction on O’Shea Road between Clyde Road and Soldiers Road
• Extending O’Shea Road to join the Beaconsfield Interchange - we’ll also upgrade the interchange by adding an inbound freeway off-ramp and an outbound freeway on-ramp
• Building a shared walking and cycling path on O’Shea Road between Clyde Road, Berwick and the Princes Highway, Beaconsfield

“The project will add extra lane in either direction from Clyde Road to Cardinia Road and upgrade Beaconsfield Interchange, the extension of O’Shea Road in Berwick, which will facilitate the Minta City development, opening 10,000 new job opportunities which would greatly benefit residents in the south east,” Federal Member for La Trobe Jason Wood said.

As construction is getting underway, traffic will continue flowing across the corridor to keep freight and commuters moving.

“The freeway will remain open during peak periods, and we’ll schedule any major lane closures outside of busy times,” Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said.

In addition to improving efficiency for businesses in the south-east, this project will also create up to 1,000 jobs during its construction.

In October last year, CPB Contractors was awarded a $761 million contract to design and build the project. You can read more about it here.

The Monash Freeway upgrade is due to be completed in 2022. This $1.4 billion projects is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments, with the Australian Government contributing $683.8 million while the Victorian Government will commit the remainder.

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Source: Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Inside Construction; Major Road Projects Victoria