Minister for Roads and Ports, Tim Pallas, today celebrated the an important milestone for the $331 million Deer Park Bypass with the opening of a new section of the interchange on the Western Highway at Caroline Springs. Mr Pallas said the opening of the new section represented a significant step in construction progress and will enable works to continue on the western end of the project.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Minister for Roads and Ports, Tim Pallas, today celebrated the an important milestone for the $331 million Deer Park Bypass with the opening of a new section of the interchange on the Western Highway at Caroline Springs.
Mr Pallas said the opening of the new section represented a significant step in construction progress and will enable works to continue on the western end of the project.
“Now that part of the interchange is open, locals can begin to get a feel for how this long-awaited project will improve their travel when complete in two years’ time,” Mr Pallas said.
“The new section of the interchange will see west-bound traffic on the Western Highway now diverted onto the new bridge, enabling works to continue underneath without disrupting traffic.
“Motorists who travel this road will now notice a difference in the layout of the road, which will take them over the old highway, and allow locals to enjoy some of the benefits sooner.
“This is the safest and most efficient way to continue construction without adversely affecting traffic on this busy transport corridor.”
Mr Pallas said the recently opened part of the interchange is the first of 15 bridges that will be built as part of the 9.3km Deer Park Bypass.
“When the Bypass is complete, we expect peak hour journeys will be cut by up to 15 minutes - avoiding 20 intersections and six sets of traffic lights,” Mr Pallas said.
“The Western Highway is the main road link between Melbourne and Adelaide and currently carries over 70,000 vehicles per day through residential and commercial areas of Deer Park.
“With over 7000 freight vehicles moving past here each day, I can assure the community that once this project is complete, locals will notice the drop in traffic volumes along the highway.
“The Melbourne - Adelaide transport corridor carries the second highest concentration of interstate freight of all the National networks.”
Mr Pallas also acknowledged that high levels of growth in the surrounding areas were adding to constraints on the existing highway.
“The area from Deer Park to Melton is one of Melbourne’s key growth areas, where the annual population growth exceeded 8.5 per cent, and this project will ensure that the community has road links that provide for a safe and efficient journey,” Mr Pallas said.
The Deer Park Bypass is jointly funded by the Australian and Brumby Governments as part of the Auslink Bilateral Agreement.
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