Congestion busting relief is a step closer for drivers from Pakenham to Chadstone and across Melbourne’s south-east with contractors shortlisted for stage two of the Monash Freeway Upgrade.
LendLease Engineering, CPB Constructions and John Holland Pty Ltd will be invited to submit tenders to deliver the $711 million project.
Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said the project was part of the Morrison Government’s work towards Melbourne-wide traffic congestion solutions.
“This will drastically improve travel times for more drivers in Melbourne’s south east,” Mr Tudge said.
The upgrade will add 36 kilometres of new lanes and includes extra lanes for motorists.
Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan said the project will enable drivers to get to their destinations more quickly.
“By adding extra lanes where they’re needed, drivers will spend nine minutes less time stuck in traffic during a peak hour trip from Pakenham to the city,” Mr Donnellan said.
Federal Member for La Trobe Jason Wood said the upgrade would boost the Victorian economy.
“With work wrapped up on the first stage of the Monash Freeway Upgrade, we will now be supporting another 600 jobs during the construction of the second stage,” Mr Wood said.
Victorian Member for Oakleigh Steve Dimopoulos said new technology would enhance safety on the freeway.
“We will be installing smart, on-road technology from the South Gippsland Freeway to the Beaconsfield Interchange, which will give drivers live traffic information and better lane management during incidents to ensure safe and reliable journeys,” Mr Dimopoulos said.
Stage 2 of the Monash Freeway Upgrade will deliver an extra lane outbound between Warrigal Road and EastLink, an additional inbound lane from EastLink to Springvale Road and will expand the Monash Freeway from four to six lanes between Clyde Road and Cardinia Road.
There will be more links to the freeway via an upgraded Beaconsfield Interchange which will connect to a duplicated and extended O’Shea Road.
Construction of the new lanes will start next year, with completion expected in mid-2022.
