By Mitchell Clarke
Preliminary works have begun on stage two of the Monash Freeway project, with major construction on the $1.4 billion upgrade set to begin next month.
The freeway will remain open during peak periods to keep commuters moving and to minimise disruption but motorists won’t see any relief for three years.
Once complete, it’s expected almost 10 minutes will be slashed off a morning peak hour trip between Pakenham and the city.
Currently, 470,000 drivers use the Monash daily.
The project will see the Monash Freeway expanded from four to six lanes between Clyde Road and Cardinia Road and from eight to ten lanes between Springvale Road and Eastlink.
Two extra lanes will also be added in each direction at O’Shea Road between Clyde Road and Soldiers Road, with O’Shea Road set to be extended to join the Beaconsfield interchange.
“We’re improving vital road corridors in every direction you look, and these upgrades to the Monash will bring relief to hundreds of thousands of drivers each day,” Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison previously described the project as a “partnership to get stuff done”.
“This project is going to be a significant boost to the local economy which is why we’ve been working closely with Premiers like Daniel Andrews to get this work underway as quickly as possible,” he said.
The Monash Freeway upgrade, which is jointly funded by the Federal and State Governments, is expected to be completed in 2022.
