New lane opens to traffic as part of $1.2 billion upgrade of Melbourne's M80 Ring Road
August 2, 2012
The $1.2 billion dollar upgrade of Melbourne’s M80 Ring Road has taken another step towards completion, with the opening of a new additional traffic lane.
The lane opened on the Altona-bound traffic lane between Melrose Drive and Steele Creek in Tullamarine.
Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese says the new lane is part of a wider upgrade of the Calder Freeway to Sydney Road section, which will deliver at least three lanes in both directions when completed early next year.
“As well as widening the road, we are also installing a new electronic freeway management system to give VicRoads the tools it needs to better manage traffic flows and ensure that over the longer term we get the most of the significant investment we are now making,” Albanese says.
The Federal Government has committed $900 million to the M80 upgrade, with $300 million coming from Victoria.
The Furlong Road to Sunshine Avenue section will be completed this year, the Tilburn Road to Furlong Road section next year and the Edgars Road to Plenty Road section in 2014.
Victorian Transport Minister Terry Mulder says the extra lane is good news for the 142,000 motorists and truck drivers a day who use what is Melbourne’s second busiest freeway.
“The new 1.5km lane between Melrose Drive and Steele Creek will ease congestion along this stretch of the Ring Road and deliver quicker, safer and less frustrating driving conditions,” he says.
