Travel times have been slashed for drivers in Melbournes west with the completion of the Andrews Labor Governments $1.8 billion-dollar Western Roads Upgrade.
Early estimates indicate the co-ordinated upgrades to eight main roads combined with level crossing removals in the west are delivering time savings of more than 20 per cent for local road users helping people get where they need to go faster and making journeys smoother, safer and more reliable.
More than 1000 jobs were created to deliver the much-needed improvements, with crews recording over 4 million hours since the works began in 2018 on the biggest ever single investment in Melbournes road network.
The project includes Leakes Road in Truganina, Dunnings Road and Palmers Road in Point Cook, Dohertys Road East in Laverton North, Dohertys Road West in Truganina, and the completion of the Duncans Road and the Forsyth Road Interchanges.
This targeted program of upgrades has increased capacity across the booming western suburbs road network, future proofing the needs of commuters and industry and improving the way people live in the west.
Palmers Road is now offering a more reliable North South connection between the Princes Freeway in south and the Western Freeway to the North, providing better connections for people accessing the Wiliams Landing Train station, growing residential areas and the industrial hubs of Truganina.
The successful removal of a dog leg on Palmers Road has increased freight efficiency with preliminary travel times slashed by 22 minutes during the morning peak.
The Leakes Road upgrade is providing a more reliable main road journey, taking the pressure off local roads, while the Forsyth Interchange has improved travel times for rapidly growing communities.
Freight operators are recording smoother, faster, and more reliable journeys on Dohertys Road, boosting connectivity to some of Melbournes biggest growth areas, with travel time on the popular Crossway Avenue to Fitzgerald Road route slashed by 50 per cent.
Healthier modes of transport have been given a boost as well, with the upgraded Federation Trail also increasing safety for pedestrians and cyclists with the overpass at Sayers Road.
A program to repair and resurface 37 roads between Footscray and Werribee was also delivered as part of the Western Roads Upgrade, incorporating recycled and reused materials under the Andrews Labor Governments Recycled First Program.
The Western Roads Upgrade was delivered by Major Road Projects Victoria, in partnership with Netflow. The program also includes a 20-year maintenance contract with Netflow, which guarantees the ongoing care of 260 kilometres of road from Footscray to Werribee
Quotes attributable to Member for Tarneit Sarah Connolly
"With Tarneit being one of the fastest growing areas in Melbourne, families in the west are already experiencing the huge benefits of the upgraded network."
"The overall completion of the Western Roads upgrade will provide better access for locals to shops, jobs and entertainment precincts making the west even more liveable."
