- Published:
- Wednesday 29 March 2017
Victorian drivers are a step closer to seeing travel times slashed and safety boosted on the M80 Ring Road with Expressions of Interest opening today for the upgrade of 7.9 kilometres between the Princes Freeway and Western Highway.
The upgrade will improve safety and reduce congestion for the 160,000 drivers who use the M80 Ring Road every day, delivering a more reliable commute for drivers, freight operators and the local community.
The upgrade involves widening the M80 Ring Road from three lanes to four lanes in each direction, including widening of the entry and exit ramps along this section.
The Princes Freeway and M80 Ring Road interchange will be upgraded to provide better connections between the Ring Road, Princes Freeway, West Gate Freeway and the future Western Distributor.
The interchanges at Boundary Road and Fitzgerald Road will also be upgraded to provide improved access to the M80 Ring Road for freight travelling to and from Laverton.
To better manage traffic flow, an electronic freeway management system will also be installed with overhead electronic signs to provide real time information for drivers.
This is the latest section of the M80 Ring Road Upgrade that when finished will deliver vast improvements along 38 kilometres from the Princes Freeway at Laverton North to the Greensborough Highway, Greensborough.
On average, Greensborough-bound drivers will save up to 15 minutes and Altona-bound drivers up to 10 minutes in peak times.
Construction on this new section is expected to begin in 2018.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher
“Along with our upgrade of the Monash Freeway, the M80 Ring Road is a key element of our $1.5 billion infrastructure package to get Victoria moving.
“This particular upgrade project will improve safety and reduce congestion for the 160,000 drivers who use the freeway every day, delivering a more reliable commute for drivers, freight operators and the local community.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan
"This is part of the Victorian Government's plan to complete the ring road, and our historic $30 billion infrastructure pipeline which includes our project to widen the Monash, building the Western Distributor, removing 50 level crossings, and building Australia's biggest public transport project - the Metro Tunnel."
“We’re putting people first by creating more than 3000 jobs and unlocking congestion in the west.”