Drivers will have an extra lane to get onto the Eastern Freeway from Hoddle Street, as the Andrews Labor Government’s Streamlining Hoddle Street project reaches another major milestone.
The new third lane along the Hoddle Street bridge and Eastern Freeway on-ramp opened early this morning boosting capacity, improving access and reducing delays for drivers heading towards the east and north eastern suburbs.
The addition of the third lane onto the Eastern Freeway will benefit drivers exiting Hoddle Street and relieve congestion for those travelling beyond the freeway towards Clifton Hill.
More than 90,000 vehicles travel along Punt Road and Hoddle Street each day, making it the busiest arterial road in metropolitan Melbourne.
The Streamlining Hoddle Street project involves upgrades of four major intersections: Hoddle Street at the Eastern Freeway and Johnston Street and Punt Road at Brunton Avenue and Swan Street.
The project is helping to transform the way motorists travel along and across Hoddle Street and Punt Road, moving turning traffic away from busy intersections to reduce impacts of turning traffic on north-south lanes.
It will also give public transport users better journeys with dedicated bus lanes along Hoddle Street and dedicated tram lanes for trams using the Swan Street and Punt Road intersection.
Work on the Hoddle Street section of the project is nearly complete with minor works finishing in August, including the installation of a new noise wall at the Eastern Freeway entry loop ramp and better access to the Alexandra Parade slip lane.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan
“This additional lane will make it faster and easier for drivers to get onto the Eastern Freeway from Hoddle Street and it will slash congestion for those continuing on Hoddle towards Clifton Hill.”
“We know that the roadworks on Hoddle Street are frustrating for drivers, and we thank them for their patience, but these works are vital to keeping Melbourne’s busiest arterial moving.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020