- Published:
- Thursday 29 September 2016
Motorists are a step closer to seeing two major bottlenecks removed on the $110 million Chandler Highway Upgrade with four construction companies being shortlisted.
The Andrews Labor Government has shortlisted BMD, CPB Contractors, Laing O’Rourke and Seymour Whyte to submit tenders for the upgrade with the selected contractor expected to be announced before the end of the year.
Each of the shortlisted companies demonstrated innovative design and an understanding of the specific needs of the project and will refine their design over coming months.
44,000 motorists will benefit from the upgrade which will widen the highway to six lanes and construct a new bridge over the Yarra River.
The intersection at Heidelberg Rd will be upgraded and safety will be boosted by installing traffic lights at Yarra Boulevard.
The historic 125-year-old Chandler Highway Bridge will be converted to a shared user path for cyclists and pedestrians, while cyclists will also be able to cross the highway via a new underpass near Yarra Boulevard.
The new bridge and road works will give travellers more ways to get active – either by cycling, walking or catching the bus.
The upgrade will provide a reliable journey for thousands of drivers every day. Construction will commence in early 2017 and be completed in mid-2018.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan
“Motorists will be able to spend more time at home with their families with a travel time saving of 8 minutes during the AM peak and 13 minutes during the PM peak.”
“We’re fixing the bottlenecks along the Chandler Highway which was recently nominated the third worst spot for traffic congestion in Victoria, in RACV’s annual Redspot survey.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Northcote Fiona Richardson
“The upgrade will improve the bumper-to-bumper conditions at bottlenecks along the Chandler Highway.”
“We’re making it easier and safer for pedestrians and cyclists to get around by creating new links and separating paths from general traffic.”