MRPV projects pushed ahead during Melbourne's lockdown

M80 Upgrade Project pictured in May. — M80 Upgrade Project in May 2021.

With traffic volume in Melbourne lower than usual during last and this week’s lockdown, Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV) was able to push ahead with its multi-billion dollar metro road upgrade program.

Construction on road projects and upgrades made significant progress over the past seven days. With traffic volumes significantly down across the road network, works across Victoria’s road network were brought forward to create least disruption for motorists.

Crews have been working to continue delivering Stage 2 of the Monash Freeway Upgrade. Over the last two weeks, the city experienced lanes closures on the Monash Freeway between Warrigal Road and Eastlink for asphalt strengthening and shoulder repairs.

Bringing forward these works meant delays on the Monash were approximately 20 minutes, rather than over an hour as initially expected.

MRPV also closed a lane in each direction on the M80 Ring Road between Sydney Road and Edgars Road. Crews worked around the clock to undertake drainage works, install signage and upgrade bridge structures while the traffic volumes were lower.

Extended working hours on the Mordialloc Freeway allowed crews working on the southbound carriageway on the Mornington Peninsula Freeway to complete three nights of asphalting works in just two nights.

Crews on Fitzsimons Lane have been working around the clock on Porter Street to remove a large light pole in the middle of the roundabout, demolish existing drainage, relocation utility services, remove medians and median infills and relocate the River Peel sculpture to its new location.

Also, in the north significantly reduced traffic volume has allowed crews on Childs Road to extend the working hours each day and bring forward the removal of lighting poles.

Site offices have been established at the site of the Craigieburn Road Upgrade, as we get on with the next stage of billion-dollar suburban road upgrades that will deliver safer, smoother and more reliable journeys across Melbourne.

Victoria’s Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan thanked the workers for the additional works.

“Workers on these road projects have done a fantastic job to keep these urgently needed projects moving, while taking care of their own health and safety,” the Minister said.

“We are making sure these projects push ahead so we can keep Victorians moving.”

“The safety of our workforce and the community is our priority – we are taking strict precautions to ensure our critical road projects can safely continue under coronavirus restrictions.”