Drivers will soon be able to enjoy a safer M80, with the first lane of the road project being opened today.
Victorian Roads Minister Terry Mulder and Federal MPs Maria Vamvakinou and Kelvin Thomson said in time motorists were set for a safer and smoother ride on the Moonee Ponds Creek Bridge as all six lanes were gradually opened. Federal member for Calwell Maria Vamvakinou said today’s opening was an impressive milestone on the jointly funded $2.25 billion M80 Ring Road Upgrade.
“Drivers who use the Ring Road regularly will notice significant progress, as structures like the Moonee Ponds Creek Bridge and the Tullamarine Freeway interchange flyover ramp takes shape.”
“This new bridge smoothes out the uphill climb on the Ring Road approach to the Jacana Tunnel so drivers can more easily maintain a constant speed, and will be less likely to weave or brake suddenly to avoid slower vehicles”. Federal member for Wills Kelvin Thomson said:”The M80 upgrade, will help ease congestion and reduce crashes on this busy stretch of road which sees up to 142,000 vehicles per day, with up to 16 per cent being heavy commercial vehicles.”
Mr Thomson added the Australian Government was focussed on moving Victoria forward, and these milestones were important steps in improving transport infrastructure in Melbourne’s north and west.Mr Mulder said that other vital works are also taking place in other locations on the M80. He warned that this weekend, VicRoads would carry out important bridge works at Sunshine requiring the Ring Road to be closed at Furlong Road on Saturday night, and restricted to a single lane each way on Sunday during the day and overnight.
“Drivers should plan their journey, particularly if they are heading to Melbourne or Avalon airports, and go to www.vicroads.vic.gov.au to check on closure times. While the road works will cause some short-term pain, drivers will start to benefit with further staged openings of lanes on the higher bridge over Moonee Ponds Creek to start from Tuesday,” Mr Mulder said. More than 16 kilometres of construction is underway to improve roads between the Western Highway and Sunshine Avenue, and between the Calder Freeway and Sydney Road.
