The sod has been turned on the first part of a $1.8 billion western roads package that will upgrade seven Wyndham roads between now and 2021.
Roadworks have begun on Dohertys Road, which will receive an extra lane in each direction between Fitzgerald Road and Grieve Parade, and a second bridge over the Princes Freeway.
Meanwhile, new traffic lights will be installed at the Fitzgerald and Hume roads intersections, and a new overpass will be built for cyclists and pedestrians who use the Federation Trail.
Construction work will occur behind barriers to keep Dohertys Road open to traffic, but some lane closures and speed reductions will be in place during the upgrade.
Other works to be delivered as part of the package include:
– Duplicating Dunnings and Palmers roads, between the Princes Freeway and Point Cook Road;
– Duplicating Derrimut Road between Sayers and Dohertys roads from two lanes to four lanes;
– Duplicating Leakes Road between Fitzgerald and Derrimut roads from two lanes to four lanes, and up to 12 intersection upgrades;
– Duplicating Dohertys Road between Foundation Road and Palmers Road from two to four lanes, and installing traffic lights at Port Phillip prison;
– Constructing new westerly-oriented entry and exit ramps from Princes Freeway to Duncans Road and replacing the existing bridge over Princes Freeway;
– Duplicating Palmers Road between Princes Freeway West and the Western Freeway with two lanes each way; and
– Duplicating Forsyth Road to four lanes, including realigning Forsyth and Old Geelong roads, and widening the Forsyth Road bridge.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the Dohertys Road upgrade would slash traffic congestion, improve freight links and keep cyclists and pedestrians safe from busy traffic.
“These projects will fix the suburban roads people in Melbourne’s west rely on, so that they can spend less time stuck in traffic and more time with friends and family doing the things they enjoy,” Mr Andrews said.
