Works are underway on stage two of the $711 million Monash Freeway Upgrade which will add 36 kilometres of new lanes and will save drivers an additional nine minutes in travel time when complete.
Smart technology will be installed from the South Gippsland Freeway to the Beaconsfield Interchange to give drivers live traffic information and to assist in lane management.
The business case for the project has been approved by the Federal Government and is expected to be released soon.
Drilling is underway on the Monash Freeway between the South Gippsland Freeway and Cardinia Road to review the ground conditions of where overhead land use management system gantries will be installed.
Trucks have also been permanently banned from travelling on the right-hand lane of the Monash Freeway following a six-month trial to improve safety. The trial found a 40 per cent reduction in crashes since its implementation.
Restrictions apply to trucks travelling in both directions between Huntingdale Road, Mount Waverley and Jacksons Road, Noble Park.
Construction of the new lanes will start in 2019 and is expected to be completed in mid 2022.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan said with early works underway, an approved business case and a shortlist of contractors, the state government is able to begin the second stage of the upgrade project.
“These right lane truck bans are reducing crashes, improving traffic flow and helping the 200,000 drivers that rely on the Monash to get home safely,” he said.
Related stories:
- Shortlist to build $711M Monash Fwy Upgrade – Stage 2 announced
- Monash Freeway Upgrade Stage 1 completed
- Monash Freeway Stage 2 declared high priority by Infrastructure Australia