The Monash Freeway Upgrade Stage 1 has been completed, with speed limits returning to 100 kilometres an hour, saving commuters seven minutes at peak times.
The project has involved more than 1.5 million working hours, 74 steel gantries, 200,000 tonnes of asphalt and more than 2000 permanent concrete barriers have contributed to this stage of the project.
Eight bridges have been widened to carry new lanes, which have been added to the centre of the road.
Lanes have been opened between EastLink and Clyde Road, which have made room for an extra 2000 vehicles per hour.
Electronic signage has been installed above the freeway which include lane use signs and electronic speed limits. This allows the remote management of lanes and can keep traffic moving efficiently while allowing faster responses to incidents.
An additional nine freeway ramp signals are now operating to manage the number of cars entering the freeway to reduce stop-start driving.
The Federal and Victorian Governments have invested $1 billion to upgrade the Monash Freeway.
Stage 2 of the project will add new lanes between Warrigal Road and EastLink, and between Clyde Road and Cardinia Road. It will also extend O’Shea Road to meet the freeway at an upgraded Beaconsfield Interchange.
Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino said the project has been delivered on time, under budget and is already delivering faster, more reliable journeys for Victorians.
Victorian Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan said the road is a lifeline to the south east, especially for growing communities in Casey and Cardinia.
“With this massive project done we can get on with Stage 2 of the Monash upgrade – procurement is underway, early works will begin this year and major roadworks will start next year,” he said.
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