Early works are now underway on the duplication and upgrade of Healesville-Kooweerup Road.
The contract to deliver the project has been awarded to Seymour Whyte and McConnell Dowell, with major construction scheduled to begin later this year and the works expected to be completed by 2025.
The project forms part of a $2.27 billion Suburban Roads Upgrade – South Eastern Roads and Northern Roads package to upgrade suburban roads across the south-eastern and northern parts of Melbourne.
The Australian and Victorian governments are contributing $1.1 billion each for the package.
Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said the upgrade included duplicating the road from two to four lanes from the Princes Highway to Manks Road.
“We’re getting on with the Healesville-Kooweerup Road Upgrade – to reduce congestion, bring down travel times and boost safety in the area,” Ms Allan said.
“Major works will commence this year, with the benefits of the project to be felt right across the growing south-east suburbs.”
The upgrade will also see new roundabouts constructed at Ballarto Road, Hall Road and south of Deep Creek, as well as new traffic lights at Greenhills Road and the installation of safety barriers.
La Trobe MP Jason Wood said the project also includes the widening of two existing roundabouts and two new bridges over Deep Creek, “which is fantastic news for the community”.
“Importantly, the works ensure a new shared walking and cycling path will be developed, which will introduce a new link to the south-east walking and cycling network to bolster access,” he said.
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale said improving safety and easing congestion in the area was the main priority – with locals to benefit most from the upgrade.
“The community understands how frustrating being stuck in traffic along Healesville-Kooweerup Road is – that’s why we’re adding an extra lane in each direction, building new bridges and adding road safety features to boost safety and ease congestion in the area,” Ms Crugnale said.
“Whether it’s travelling to the shops, work or an event – we’re delivering this vital upgrade to benefit all locals and make it easier for them to travel.”
However, Liberal Gembrook MP Brad Battin called the announcement “simply too little, too late”.
“The fact is three lives were lost, many serious injuries and dozens of accidents due to the Labor Government mishandling of this project. And now, again on the eve of an election, the very same commitment from 2018,” he said.
“Cancelling a contract to fix the road to save money, and now shamelessly announcing the project again in the lead up to the State Election is absolutely shameful.
“This project was promised in the lead up to the 2018 election. Since then, three lives have been lost, dozens of accidents occurred and countless lives have been impacted.”
Mr Battin questioned why no starting date had been announced.
“Again we see no starting date, no estimated date of completion and no real plan, just a statement of trust us ‘it will start later this year’. Labor have neglected our community for decades, and a media release on the eve of the election will do nothing to make our roads safer,” he said.
