By Alesha Capone
The state government has marked completion of the $1.8 billion-dollar Western Roads Upgrade.
More than 1000 jobs were created across the project, with crews recording more than four million hours of work since the upgrade began in 2018.
A program to repair and resurface 37 roads between Footscray and Werribee has also been delivered as part of the upgrade, incorporating recycled and reused materials.
Leakes Road and Dohertys Road in Truganina, along with Dunnings Road and Palmers Road in Point Cook, have been upgraded as part of the works.
The Duncans Road and the Forsyth Road interchanges have also been finished.
According to statements from Werribee MP Tim Pallas and Tarneit MP Sarah Connolly, early estimates indicate the upgrades to eight main roads, combined with level crossing removals in the west, are delivering time savings of more than 20 per cent for road users.
Driving from Geelong to the Werribee Open Range Zoo, via the recently-opened Duncans Road interchange, now takes an average of 38 minutes instead of 54 minutes.
The 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 Western Roads Upgrade was delivered by Major Road Projects Victoria, in partnership with Netflow.
“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,” Ms Connolly said.
The state government also celebrated the removal of the Cherry Street level crossing in Werribee earlier in March, months ahead of schedule.
The level crossing, which has been replaced with a road bridge, is the 46th level crossing removal in Melbourne since 2015.
With the Cherry Street level crossing gone, crews are now building a new underpass at the site that will provide a connection for pedestrians and cyclists.
“With level crossings now gone at both Cherry and Werribee street, and the biggest single investment ever made in our suburban arterial road network now complete, we’re easing congestion and making our area safer than ever,” Mr Pallas said.
