Every day, roughly 200,000 people travel along the Monash Freeway, including countless residents from areas around the road including Carnegie, Clayton, and Burwood. This week, work will begin on a $400million project that will create an expansion of the road, reducing congestion and helping Carnegie residents get around more quickly.
The works are expected to be completed in 2018, and once they are, designers and planners are expecting as much as a 20 per cent reduction in serious crashes through smoother traffic flow.
Planners are expecting as much as a 20 per cent reduction in serious crashes.
Plus, it may mean a spare time in the morning for residents of Dandenong and surrounds to sleep in or get ready for the day, as it should shave 10 minutes off rush-hour traffic. There will also be room for an extra 2,000 vehicles on the freeway at peak times, and the road will be toll-free for users.
Specifically, the section between the EastLink interchange and South Gippsland Freeway will be upgraded from the existing four lanes to five lanes. Also, workers will create an extra lane each way through to Clyde Road in Berwick, bringing the total up to three in each direction. Altogether, the project will turn the Monash Freeway into the country's longest managed motorway system at 44km from Pakenham to Geelong.
Making the most of the latest technology, plans for the freeway include upgraded ramp signals and variable message signs. These will be in place between Koo Wee Rup Road and Warrigal Road to help avoid crashes and congestion.
For those who will continue to use the Monash Freeway during the expansion timeframe, note that precautions have been taken to minimise disruptions until its completion. Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan did offer some advice for motorists on the freeway:
"We're working to minimise traffic disruptions, with the majority of works being undertaken at night or in the centre median, however we do suggest you allow extra travel time when planning your journey," he said.
As local construction workers can look forward to the 400 new positions available for the construction of the expansion, local residents can also look forward to the safer, smoother and faster road system that will allow them to get to and from the city.
Anyone interested in moving into the Carnegie area can chat to our local Ray White office about current and upcoming properties on the market.
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