EOI open for northern M80 Ring Road upgrades

Expressions of Interest are now open to complete the northern sections of as part of Melbourne’s $1 billion M80 Ring Road Upgrade.

The upgrade includes a four-kilometre section between Sydney Road and Edgars Road and a two-kilometres section between Plenty Road and the Greensborough Highway.

These upgrades will add around 20 kilometres of new lanes to the northern section of the road.

It aims to provide a more reliable connection to all major freeways and interstate links, including the Hume Highway, Princes and West Gate Freeways and the upcoming West Gate Tunnel.

Federal Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said the upgrades will bust congestion in Melbourne’s growing northern suburbs and bring relief to thousands of drivers each day.

“We are keeping Victorians moving by boosting capacity for drivers while making the M80 Ring Road safer and more efficient,” Mr Tudge said.

Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan said entry and exit ramps at Sydney and Edgars Roads would be widened to increase capacity and a dedicated exit ramp from the Hume Freeway to Edgars Road would be built to improve safety and eliminate dangerous weaving manoeuvres.

“This upgrade will improve safety and reduce congestion for the many people who use this freeway each day, delivering better journeys for drivers, freight operators and the local community,” Mr Donnellan said.

Victorian Senator James Patterson said an intelligent freeway management system will also be installed featuring overhead electronic signs, which will provide real time travel information for drivers and help manage traffic flow.

“The system also includes overhead variable speed limits and ramp signals to manage access onto the Ring Road,” he said.

Member for Bundoora Colin Brooks said that the road will remain open during construction and any lane closures will be scheduled to minimise disruption.

“The Ring Road connects people in the northern suburbs to jobs, educational opportunities and services – we know that these works will cause some disruption, but our community needs these extra lanes to keep traffic flowing,” Mr Brooks said.

Construction on the two sections is expected to begin in late 2019 and be completed by early 2023, weather permitting.