A sculpture, designed by an artist who grew up in Altona, has been installed at the Duncans Road interchange in Werribee.
The $425,000 artwork, titled Backyard, was made by Jon Campbell.
The 15-metre high sculpture depicts a game of cricket in a “stylised pop version” of Campbell’s childhood backyard in Altona.
Werribee MP Tim Pallas said the artwork “celebrates the joys of everyday life in the western suburbs”.
The one-of-a-kind sculpture was commissioned and created as part of the state government’s $1.8 billion Western Roads Upgrade.
Campbell’s piece was picked for the roads project, from a number of submissions received, during an independent selection process.
The sculpture has been delivered through a public-private partnership with Netflow and Major Road Projects Victoria, and is located alongside the Princes Freeway for commuters to view.
The Western Roads Upgrade saw eight roads across Werribee, Point Cook, Truganina, Tarneit, Laverton North and Hoppers Crossing updated, as well as resurfacing work completed on 37 roads between Footscray and Werribee.
Cyclists and pedestrians also have also benefited from more than 50 kilometres of new walking and cycling paths, plus three new overpasses along the Federation Trail.
The Western Roads Upgrade was completed in March.
A 20-year maintenance program, that includes resurfacing, pavement repair, linemarking renewal and vegetation and drainage management, is now in place.
Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said the Western Roads Upgrade was “the biggest ever single investment in Melbourne’s suburban road network, that will serve road users in the west for decades to come”.
“What better way to mark this transformational project than with an eye-catching new addition to the urban landscape in the west?” Ms Allan said.
Data shows that since the Western Roads Upgrade project was completed, drivers on Palmers Road are now saving 20 minutes during the morning peak, while upgrades to Leakes Road have shaved almost 12 minutes off the travel time to Tarneit train station.
