Residents in the booming Wyndham West and Werribee regions will have easier and safer access to the Princes Freeway, with the Australian and Victorian governments announcing a $114 million investment to complete the Ison Road Rail Overpass.
More than $10 million has already been invested for early works on the overpass, which will extend south towards Browns Road and connect with a section of Ison Road, to be constructed by Wyndham Council.
Extensive planning works and community consultation on the proposed design and planning pathway, which attracted more than 4,000 participants, have since been completed.
The overpass is expected to cater for nearly 29,000 daily users by 2036.
Major Road Projects Victoria is also in the early stages of planning for potential improvements to the Werribee Main Road and Princes Freeway Interchange in Werribee, including traffic modelling, planning studies, and environmental and historic heritage investigations.
This planning work will consider future upgrades to the interchange, including on and off-ramps to the Princes Freeway, as well as active transport and cycling options.
The Ison Road Rail Overpass is expected to begin construction in 2023.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Catherine King:
“The Albanese Government is delivering on its election commitment, the new four-lane overpass will extend over the Melbourne-Geelong railway line towards to the Princes Freeway.
“This will provide residents better access to surrounding areas, reduce traffic congestion in central Werribee and improve journey reliability.”
Quotes attributable to Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan:
“The Wyndham West region is one of highest areas of urban growth in Victoria, so we are committed to ensuring people can get where they need to go safely and more easily.
“We have listened to the local community and we are investing in infrastructure that provides an important link to the Princes Freeway for residents to commute into the city of Melbourne or to travel to Geelong.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Lalor Joanne Ryan:
“Investment in safer, more reliable roads in an area of such significant growth will provide long-term benefits to locals.
“Wyndham is rapidly growing, so we are getting on with building the Ison Road bridge to make it easier for our local residents to go between home, work and school.
“It will provide an easy alternative for motorists to get to the Princes Freeway and make the centre of Werribee a safer and less congested shopping and business district.”
Quotes attributable to Victorian Treasurer and State Member for Werribee Tim Pallas:
“The Ison Road overpass and connection to the Princes Freeway will be another welcome road upgrade in Melbourne’s west.
“Our Werribee and Wyndham community is continuing to grow, with a population forecast to reach more than 520,000 people by 2041, so we are investing in transport infrastructure that will improve travel now and into the future.”
Reviewed 04 September 2022