Premier

New Chandler Highway Bridge Taking Shape

01 July 2018

The Andrews Labor Government’s new, six-lane Chandler Highway Bridge is a step closer, with the first sections of the new bridge deck now in place.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan and Member for Ivanhoe Anthony Carbines today toured the site over the Yarra River where construction crews have placed the last of 24 huge steel bridge beams.

The beams, each weighing up to 72 tonnes and measuring up to 52 metres long, have been moved into place by three cranes weighing up to 600-tonnes.

The work has been undertaken over four series of night closures at the Yarra River site to reduce delays and keep traffic moving during the day.

More than 44,000 drivers rely on Chandler Highway each day with the existing two-lane bridge causing a significant bottleneck and traffic congestion during the morning and afternoon peak.

On track to be completed by the end of 2018, the new Chandler Highway Bridge will triple capacity and reduce delays faced by drivers crossing the Yarra River and travelling between Ivanhoe and Kew.

The Chandler Highway is being widened to accommodate six lanes of traffic and intersections at Heidelberg Road and Yarra Boulevard are being upgraded to improve traffic flow.

New traffic lights are being installed at the Yarra Bend development along with a new pedestrian crossing to boost safety and accessibility for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

The historic Chandler Highway bridge, completed in 1891 as part of the Outer Circle Railway line, will be transformed into a walking and cycling path for the community, linking to upgraded paths along the Yarra River.

Landscaping along the Yarra River will be improved and linked cycling and pedestrian paths will be reconstructed to provide a more direct and safe route to nearby trails.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan

“This is an important step for the Chandler Highway upgrade - we’re well on the way to opening the new six lane bridge to boost traffic flow on this critical crossing of the Yarra River.”

“People have talked about this upgrade for decades, but while some continue to talk about road upgrades, the Andrews Labor Government is getting on and delivering the congestion busting projects Victorians need.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Ivanhoe Anthony Carbines

“Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians have been incredibly patient while crews have moved these huge beams into place over the Yarra River – now it’s done we can get on with the rest of this urgently needed project.”

“The new six-lane bridge will triple capacity over the Yarra River, removing a bottleneck that has frustrated drivers in our community for decades.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

Was this page helpful?