Motorists will feel the benefits of reduced congestion and increased capacity with inbound lanes on the Monash Freeway opening to traffic from today.
The 12 kilometre stretch between EastLink and Warrigal Road inbound has been increased between Eastlink and Springvale Road from four to five lanes and existing inbound lanes to Warrigal Road have been reopened.
Barriers lining work sites on the Monash Freeway will be progressively removed from today – with motorists to see added lane capacity available.
Works began in December 2021 to resurface new and existing lanes as a part of the $1.08 billion Monash Freeway Upgrade – Stage 2.
By the end of June, all lanes on the Monash Freeway will be open to traffic, signalling the completion of Stage 2 of the Monash Freeway Upgrade.
“More milestones are on the way – as we wrap up works on the project and open more sections over the coming months,” said project director Catherine Gunn.
Motorists will benefit from further boosts to capacity before the June completion date, with lanes opening between the Princes Highway at Berwick and Cardinia Road in Pakenham.
Lanes between Princes Highway and Beaconsfield Interchange will be increased from three to four in each direction by the end of May, offering motorists travelling from Officer to Melbourne’s CBD a smoother journey along the entire freeway.
The upgrade of Beaconsfield Interchange to a full diamond interchange is nearing completion, with a new inbound exit ramp and outbound entry ramp, significantly improving access to and from the Monash and Princes freeways for motorists in Melbourne’s outer south-east.
By the end of May, joining EastLink will be made easier through a redesign of the way road users join the freeway, removing the weaving between the Jacksons Road entry ramp and the EastLink exit ramp.
As part of a major access change to the Monash Freeway and EastLink in Mulgrave, the Jacksons Road entry ramp will become a dedicated EastLink entry ramp, with a separate elevated road alongside the Monash Freeway.
Motorists travelling along the Monash Freeway wanting to join Eastlink will use that same separated road by veering left at the Jacksons Road exit.
These changes will remove the traffic weaving that occurred on the Monash Freeway between the Jacksons Road entry ramp and the exit ramp to EastLink.
Motorists can also look forward to an additional outbound lane between Warrigal Road and Springvale Road, an additional lane in each direction between Springvale Road and EastLink and an additional lane in each direction between Princes Highway and Cardinia Road.
Access to the Monash Freeway will also be made easier for Mulgrave residents, with the Police Road entry ramp being reinstated soon.
The final piece of the upgrade will be delivered in July, with the O’Shea Road Upgrade completed, unlocking and improving access for motorists travelling to and from Melbourne’s outer south-east.
O’Shea Road in Berwick will be upgraded from two lanes to six lanes, easing congestion and taking pressure off the busy Clyde Road.
O’Shea Road will also be extended to the Beaconsfield Interchange, realising full access to and from the Monash and Princes freeways for motorists in Berwick, Officer and beyond.
“The Monash Freeway Upgrade will improve safety and slash travel times for the more than 470,000 drivers who rely on it every day,” said Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan.
