By Eleanor Wilson
Local primary school students in Southeastern Melbourne are being encouraged to pull out their finest colouring pencils this Easter, for a colouring competition run by Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV).
Prep students at Narre Warren North Primary School kickstarted the competition on Wednesday, brightening up an outlined picture of the Easter Bunny on top of road work machinery.
“The best thing about a colouring in competition is all the colours we can use, and the Easter bunny on the truck is cool,” said five-year-old prep student Zavier.
The competition is being run in conjunction with MRPV’s Narre Warren North Upgrade, which has partnered with local businesses Marcos IGA and Café Coffea to deliver the prizes.
Students can submit the artwork to one of the participating local businesses for a chance to win a range of prizes including a voucher and goodies, PPE construction gear from MRPV, and a drive in the local CFA’s truck.
There will be one winner for each of the following ages groups: 0-4 years old, 5-8 years old and 8-12 years old.
The competition is running until 27 April, with winners expected to be announced on 2 May.
Works on the Narre Warren North Upgrade itself has continued, with construction beginning at the Ernst Wanke intersection on 31 March.
Crews are adding an extra lane in each direction on Narre Warren North Road at the Ernst Wanke intersection and extending the right and left lanes.
MRPV said the upgrade will increase capacity, reduce bottlenecks in peak periods and improve safety for road users.
“Melbourne’s South East is one of the fastest growing regions, and the Narre Warren North Road Upgrade will make it safer for all road users to travel through this area,” Narre Warren North Upgrade Program Director Brendan Pauwels said.
Works on the intersection will continue until late 2022, temporarily closing one through lane on Narre Warren North Road in both directions, as well as one right turn lane from Ernst Wanke Road onto Narre Warren North Road northbound.
The intersection adds to completed work on the upgrade, such as the U-turn at Belgrave-Hallam Road.
The Narre Warren North Upgrade is expected to be complete by late 2023.
