Melbourne motorists are one step closer to a congestion-busting upgrade on the M80 Ring Road with expressions of interest now open to complete the two northern sections of the project.
The upgrades include a 4km section between Sydney Road and Edgars Road and a 2km section between Plenty Road and the Greensborough Highway.
“The upgrades will bust congestion in Melbourne’s growing northern suburbs and bring relief to thousands of drivers each day,” said Alan Tudge, Federal minister for cities, urban infrastructure and population.
“We are keeping Victorians moving by boosting capacity for drivers while making the M80 Ring Road safer and more efficient.”
Once completed, the northern sections of the important upgrade project will add approximately 20km of new lines.
“Entry and exit maps at Sydney and Edgars would be widened to increase capacity and a dedicated exit ramp from the Hume Freeway to Edgars Road would be built to improve safety and eliminate dangerous weaving manoeuvres,” said Luke Donnellan, Victorian minister for roads and road safety.
“This upgrade will improve safety and reduce congestion for the many people who use this freeway each day, delivering better journeys for drivers, freight operators and the local community.”
“An intelligent freeway management system will also be installed featuring overhead electronic signs, which will provide real-time travel information for drivers and help manage traffic flow,” Victorian senator James Patterson added.
“The system also includes overhead variable speed limits and ramp signals to manage access onto the Ring Road.”
According to Colin Brooks, member for Bundoora, the road will remain open during construction and any lane closures will be scheduled to minimise disruption.
“The Ring Road connects people in the northern suburbs to jobs, educational opportunities and services – we know that these works will cause some disruption, but our community needs these extra lanes to keep traffic flowing,” Brooks continued.
The M80 Ring Road Upgrade will provide more reliable connections to all major freeways and interstate links, including the Hume Highway, Princes and West Gate Freeways and the future West Gate Tunnel.
The $1 billion M80 Ring Road Upgrade is being jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian governments.
Construction on the two northern sections of the M80 Ring Road is expected to begin in late 2019 and be completed by early 2023.