- Published:
- Monday 7 December 2015
The first geotechnical night works have begun on the $400 million Monash Freeway Upgrade to provide a safer and more reliable journey for more than 200,000 motorists a day.
Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan announced that testing of the road’s pavement had started last night and would continue until late February 2016 stretching from Dandenong North to Berwick.
The main work between now and Christmas will be between the EastLink interchange and the South Gippsland Freeway. Motorists will be affected by some night-time lane closures of a single lane, each side of the freeway.
Localised roadworks will have speed limits apply but traffic flow is not expected to be impacted, with closures to be removed before the morning peak.
Preliminary planning works have also commenced with surveying currently taking place in and off the shoulder of the Freeway at various locations.
The geotechnical and survey works are critical for the technical design of the project.
The freeway will be widened from four to five lanes each way between the EastLink interchange and South Gippsland Highway, and from two to three lanes each way through to Clyde Road in Berwick.
The Monash Upgrade will create 400 construction jobs and use smart technology to help keep traffic flowing and prevent traffic banking up, causing stop-start driving.
When finished, the project will cut travel times by up to 10 minutes a day and make room for an extra 2000 vehicles during the peak on Australia’s longest stretch of managed motorway.
The smart technology will reduce serious crashes up to 20 percent by ensuring less merging and weaving for motorists getting on and off the freeway.
The Government will proceed with the Monash Upgrade regardless of the outcome of the market-led proposal. The Monash Freeway will continue to remain toll free.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan
“We’re not wasting a day to get this project done. It will cut travel times, improve safety and remove frustrating bottlenecks on the Monash.”
“This will mean a more reliable trip to 200,000 drivers a day, with less time stuck in traffic.”
“If you’re driving late at night on the Monash please observe the roadworks speed limits, watch out for workers and take extra care.”