Monash Freeway Stage 2 upgrades fast tracked

The Victorian Government has announced it will fast track works on the $711 million Monash Freeway Upgrade Stage 2.

The move will add 32 kilometres of new lanes to the Monash Freeway and will have on-road technology installed from the South Gippsland Freeway to the Beaconsfield Interchange to give drivers live traffic information and to manage lanes. 

The Victorian Government has also submitted a full business case to Infrastructure Australia for the Federal Government’s final approval.

Stage two of the upgrade aims to expand the Monash Freeway from eight lanes to ten between Warrigal Road and Eastlink, and from four lands to six between Clyde Road and Cardinia Road.

Construction on the second stage will begin in late 2018, with the construction of new lanes beginning in 2019 after a tender process. The new lanes are expected to open in 2022.

“We’re getting things done – widening the Monash all the way from Chadstone to Pakenham,” said Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.

“The first stage of our massive Monash expansion is almost finished and we’re fast tracking the next stage – to get people home quicker and safer, sooner,” he said.

Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan said adding more lanes where they are needed most will slash congestion times and deliver more reliable journeys.

“We all know what it’s like to sit in gridlock on the Monash – that’s why we’re getting on with the job, building more lanes, better interchanges and creating a truly managed motorway to get people home safer and sooner,” Mr Donnellan said.