Major works on the Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road Upgrade are set to begin to ease congestion in Melbourne’s South-East.
The contract to deliver the project has been awarded to McConnell Dowell, with construction scheduled to start by mid-2022.
The project forms part of the $2.27 billion Suburban Roads Upgrade – The South Eastern Roads and Northern Roads package, to upgrade suburban roads across the south-eastern and northern parts of Melbourne.
Federal Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher said the upgrade will boost road safety and reduce travel times for local commuters.
“Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road is a vital connection for the South-East, which is why the Morrison Government is committed to funding this project to help improve congestion and get people home safer and sooner,” Mr Fletcher said.
The Australian and Victorian governments are contributing $1.1 billion each to the package.
Victorian Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said the upgrade includes adding an extra lane in each direction between Thompsons Road and the South Gippsland Highway to boost capacity and slash travel times.
“We’re getting on with the Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road upgrade – to make it easier, safer and more accessible for locals to get to where they need to go,” Ms Allan said.
“Major works will get underway this year, with drivers to be the big winners of the project.”
The upgrade will replace the Thompsons Road and Berwick-Cranbourne Road roundabouts with traffic lights to improve traffic flow.
Additional traffic lights will be installed at the South Gippsland Highway intersection, Majestic Boulevard and Lyall Street, as well as at a pedestrian crossing south of Hunt Club Boulevard.
Federal Member for La Trobe Jason Wood said locals have waited long enough for works to get underway.
“This project is something I have strongly advocated for, as it will ensure locals get home sooner and safer while supporting local construction jobs,” Mr Wood said.
“The South-East of Melbourne is one of the fastest growing areas in the country, with many residents in my electorate of La Trobe spending way too long being stuck in traffic, which is why projects like this are vital.”
New shared walking and cycling paths will also be developed as well as safety barriers.
Victorian Member for Cranbourne Pauline Richards said locals deserve to have safer and more reliable journeys as they travel along Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road.
“That’s why we’re adding an extra lane in each direction and upgrading roundabouts to reduce congestion, bring down travel times, and get people home safer and sooner,” Ms Richards said.
“This upgrade also offers a real alternative for north-south travellers and improves access to the South-East’s freeway network.”
The Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road upgrade is expected to be completed by 2025.
