VEC Civil secures contract to build VIC's O'Herns Road Upgrade Stage 2

Construction on the second stage of the O’Herns Road Upgrade in Epping, Victoria is one step closer to commencing, with the announcement of the preferred builder to deliver the project.

VEC Civil Engineering will be undertaking the duplication of O’Herns Road between Hume Freeway and Redding Rise.

Stage 2 of works will include:

• Building an additional lane in each direction between Hume Freeway and Redding Rise
• Construction of new traffic light intersections at Edgars Road, Gateway Boulevard and Koukoura Drive
• A new interchange with direct access to the freeway
• Widening of the bridge over the freeway to improve traffic flow to the new interchange and match the number of lanes between Redding Rise and Epping Road
• Building an additional lane in each direction on Hume Freeway between O’Herns Road and Cooper Street
• Deliver on-road bike lanes on O’Herns Road from Redding Rise

“This upgrade will improve access to the Hume Freeway and the surrounding northern suburbs, busting congestion in the area, and getting people home sooner and safer.

“This region is also experiencing extraordinary growth and this investment will help freight access overseas and interstate markets through Melbourne,” Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said.

Source: Major Road Projects Victoria

This congestion-busting project is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments, and it is expected to improve connections as well as boost economic activity and jobs in the region.

“This area of Melbourne is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country and this project is part of the Government’s record investment in major infrastructure improvements to better connect communities.

“The O’Herns ROad upgrade will help people to get home safer and sooner, create jobs and support businesses right across the region,” Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said.

In June of this year, the project received environmental approval from the Federal Government, marking another major milestone that further pushed it closer to beginning construction.

“We fought hard to have Edgard Road built to O’Herns Road and now it’s happening - along with residents, I can’t wait to see work start. This is a great relief and will complement our massive upgrade of O’Herns Road,” Victorian Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny said.

According to Senator for Victoria James Paterson, upgrading O’Herns Road will help improve traffic flow and reduce travel time to make travelling across Melbourne’s north easier.

“This project will transform the way residents move across Melbourne’s north by providing a new interchange with direct access to the Hume Freeway from O’Herns Road.

“Additional lanes along O’Herns Road between the freeway and Redding Rise, and the new traffic lights at O’Herns Road and High Street intersection as part of Stage 1, will help to streamline traffic flow,” Mr Paterson said.

Stage 1 of the upgrade was completed early in 2019.

Major construction on Stage 2 is expected to begin in August and is due to be completed by mid-2021.

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Source: Premier of Victoria; Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure; Major Road Projects Victoria (1, 2); Victoria’s Big Build