- Published:
- Friday 1 April 2016
Work on the $86 million Ravenswood Interchange is set to start in May, with CPB Contractors announced to build the project today.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the Australian Government was providing $45 million and the Victorian Government $41 million to replace the dangerous intersection of the Calder Highway and the Calder Alternate Highway, where there have been two fatalities since 2009.
“Upgrading this major interchange will improve safety for all road users, boost efficiency for freight transport and deliver long-term economic benefits to Bendigo and the northern Victoria region,” Mr Chester said.
“CPB Contractors (formerly Leightons Contractors) will build an elevated circular roadway that will separate slow moving traffic from fast moving traffic on the lower north and south bound carriageways of the Calder Freeway.
Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan said under the Victorian Government’s Victorian Industry Participation Policy (VIPP), a minimum of 95 per cent of project work will be drawn from services provided locally.
“The appointment of CPB Contractors will contribute around 800 jobs to local the economy,” Mr Donnellan said.
“This interchange will support both the Bendigo and Castlemaine communities as growing numbers of people commute between the two centres for work, school and family commitments.”
“These works will mean drivers no longer need to stop, find a gap and take risks as they join fast moving traffic.
“With freight transport expected to double on our roads by 2025, this upgrade will deliver vital improvements to benefit regional road safety and the local economy for decades to come.”
VicRoads will continue to work with stakeholders and the community to keep them informed as plans progress on the delivery of this project, which is expected to be completed by late 2017.