Australia Invests $2.25 Billion For Melbourne M80 Ring Road Improvements

Major works to improve Melbourne’s M80 Ring Road are underway, with the first sod turned on stage one of the $2.25 billion freeway upgrade project between the Tullamarine Freeway and Sydney Road.

Victorian Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas and Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport Maxine McKew were in Broadmeadows today to mark the start of works.

“The M80 Ring Road from Laverton North to Greensborough is being upgraded to increase traffic capacity, improve safety and ease congestion along one of Melbourne’s key corridors as part of the Victorian Government’s plans for building a better transport system,” Mr Pallas said.

“The improvement works on the 8.5 kilometre section from Tullamarine through to Sydney Road, Campbellfield, include an extra lane in both directions, reconfigured interchanges and ramps and implementation of traffic management initiatives that will help traffic flow better.

“By delivering this project we’re also standing up for Victorian jobs, with the M80 Ring Road upgrade to support up to 6500 jobs during construction and an expected 5500 flow-on jobs.”

Mr Pallas also announced the second section of works on the M80 Upgrade would be between the Western Highway and Sunshine Avenue.

“The upgrade to the Furlong Road to Sunshine Avenue section will also include an extra lane in both directions, including widening of the bridge over Furlong Road,” he said.

The M80 Ring Road upgrade project is being delivered in partnership with the Rudd Labor Government as part its Nation Building Program, and was identified as a priority project in the Victorian Government’s $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan.

Ms McKew said the Tullamarine Freeway and Sydney Road section had been prioritised to provide the greatest overall traffic and safety benefits to the community.

“This project is exactly what our Nation Building for Recovery Strategy is all about. It will support jobs now while building the infrastructure that will underpin our nation’s longer term economic prosperity,” Ms McKew said.

“Through the Nation Building Program, the Rudd Labor Government has committed $900 million towards this project as part of the record $7.9 billion we’re investing in Victoria’s road and rail infrastructure over the next five years.

“Each day around 142,000 vehicles travel the M80, including more than 22,000 trucks, so the upgrade will address both the safety concerns and congestion currently experienced by drivers in peak times, as well as improving road freight efficiency.

“Due for completion by the end of 2012, this first stage of works will deliver immediate benefits for the industry and the communities along the major transport corridor.

“The works are being delivered by an alliance partnership involving Thiess, PB, Hyder and VicRoads, with the alliance already proving its worth with construction now underway ahead of the original 2010 start date.”

VicRoads M80 Project Director Trevor Boyd said the freeway works were being planned and managed to minimise the impact on motorists.

“With works now underway an 80 km/h roadworks speed limit will apply on sections under construction between the Tullamarine Freeway and Sydney Road,” Mr Boyd said.

“For the safety of drivers and our road crews at works along the Ring Road its important for all road users to observe the signing and speed limits in place and to take care when travelling through work zones.

“We are committed to keeping the community advised about the works and traffic impacts to assist them in planning their daily travel.”

VicRoads is currently inviting industry to submit tenders to design and construct a portion of the second section between Furlong Road and Sunshine Avenue, with the contract expected to be awarded and construction to commence in 2010.

For more information or to sign up to receive project updates and alerts, visit the project website at www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/m80upgrade or call the Project Information Line on 1300 297 090.

Topics: Australia, Australis, Broadmeadows, community, economic development, Economy, employment, freeway upgrade project, Governance, infrastructure, jobs, M80 Ring Road, Melbourne, Rudd Labor Government, Sydney Road, traffic flow, traffic management, transportation, Tullamarine, Victoria, Victorian Transport Plan, Vvictorian roads

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