Congestion will be cut and more than 200,000 motorists will experience a safer and more reliable drive with a major upgrade of the Monash Freeway fully funded and set to start this year.
The Andrews Labor Government’s Victorian Budget will provide $1.46 billion over the forward estimates to build the Western Distributor Project, including full funding to widen and upgrade the Monash Freeway.
The Monash Freeway will be widened from four to five lanes each way between the EastLink interchange and the South Gippsland Freeway, and from two to three lanes each way through to Clyde Road in Berwick.
The upgrade will create 400 jobs during construction, cut 10 minutes from peak hour travel and make room for an extra 2000 vehicles during the peak.
The project will also create Australia’s longest managed motorway system, with the 44km of traffic management upgrades providing a streamlined traffic system all the way from Geelong to Pakenham.
Smart technology involving new and upgraded ramp signals and variable message signs will be installed between Warrigal Road and Koo Wee Rup Road to help prevent traffic banking up and causing congestion and crashes.
A 20 per cent reduction in serious crashes is expected by creating smoother traffic flow onto and along the improved route.
Once completed, the upgraded section of the Monash Freeway will remain toll free.
The major upgrade, expected to cost up to $400 million, is currently out to tender, with works to begin late this year and be completed by 2018.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan
“This will build a faster, more reliable and safer freeway for the 200,000 Victorians in the south east who use it every day.”
“It will create 400 jobs during construction, cut 10 minutes from peak hour travel.”
“The upgrade will improve the bumper-to-bumper conditions at bottlenecks along the Monash.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020