- Published:
- Monday 5 October 2015
CONSTRUCTION will start this week on $1.3 billion CityLink Tullamarine Widening project between Bulla Road and Bell Street.
Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews spoke to workers on the project at Essendon Fields today with Senator Scott Ryan and the Victorian Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan.
Mr Andrews said the project will create around 1400 direct and indirect jobs when work starts tonight with installation of protective barriers and relocation of utility services.
“We’re getting on with the job of delivering the projects our state needs. This will mean less congestion on CityLink and Tulla for motorists and more jobs for Victoria,” Mr Andrews said.
“Once complete, the project will reduce congestion and travel times and provide road users with a smoother and more reliable journey.”
Federal Minister for Major Projects Paul Fletcher said that the Tullamarine Freeway is one of Melbourne’s busiest road corridors. The Australian Government has committed $200 million towards the upgrade of Section 1 from Melbourne Airport to Melrose Drive.
“This project represents an important partnership between the Australian Government, Victorian Government and private enterprise working together to provide much needed city-shaping infrastructure in Victoria,” Mr Fletcher said.
Senator Scott Ryan represented Minister Fletcher at the event. “Increasing the capacity of this major transport corridor will contribute to meeting the demands of Melbourne’s growing population and increasing freight while supporting economic growth,” Senator Ryan said.
Mr Donnellan said that the project would increase the road’s capacity by up to 30 per cent and support the growth of Melbourne Airport and the rapidly growing northern and north-western suburbs.
“The M2 corridor will be safer and more reliable, with a new freeway management system that will manage traffic flow and reduce crashes,” Mr Donnellan said.
“The majority of works will be undertaken at night to minimise the impact on motorists, although we suggest you allow extra travel time when planning your journey.
“To assist with the safety of motorists the speed limit between Bulla Road and Bell Street will be reduced to 80km/hour during the day and lane widths will be adjusted, although the number of existing lanes will remain unchanged during peak periods.”
The Transurban CEO Scott Charlton said Transurban is pleased to partner with government to deliver a project that will improve road safety and travel times for Victorian drivers.
“Construction will start this evening, and while most of the road works will take place overnight and the number of existing lanes will remain open during peak hours, we urge the travelling public to allow a little extra travel time as they adapt to the changed conditions.”
For more information and to sign up to project and traffic updates, visit www.citylinktullawidening.vic.gov.au.
All construction works are expected to be completed in 2018.
Media Contacts
For Mr Andrews: Lisa Tucker 0421 597 669
For Mr Fletcher: Luke Coleman 0414 728 720