Drivers in Dandenong South are a step closer to safer, smoother and more reliable journeys, with a contract awarded to upgrade Pound Road West.
Seymour Whyte Constructions will build the project, in partnership with Major Road Projects Victoria, as part of the biggest suburban road upgrade program in Victoria's history, boosting the state's economy and creating thousands of jobs.
Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the upgrade will improve traffic flow and travel times, and reduce growing traffic pressure on South Gippsland Highway and Abbotts Road.
This part of Dandenong South is a growing industrial precinct and this project will help reduce congestion for the thousands of people who rely on Pound Road West every day," Minister Fletcher said.
Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure, the Hon Jacinta Allan MP, said the project would create opportunities for local businesses and improve connections in a key part of Melbourne.
"Melbourne's south-east is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia which is why we're investing $23 billion into the area's road and rail networks as part of Victoria's Big Build," Ms Allan said.
As part of the upgrade, a bridge will be built over the Cranbourne rail line to connect Pound Road West and Remington Drive while the Frankston-Dandenong Road Bridge over the Cranbourne and Pakenham rail lines will be strengthened and refurbished.
Senator for Victoria, David Van, said Pound Road West will be widened from one to two lanes in each direction between Abbotts Road and South Gippsland Highway to cater for the 40,000 vehicles forecast to use the road by 2031.
"The existing Remington Drive and Pound Road West intersections at Abbotts Road and South Gippsland Highway will be upgraded, while new traffic lights will be installed at Ventura Place and Hydrive Close," Senator Van said.
Shared walking and cycling paths and safety barriers along the road are other key features of the project.
State Member for Dandenong, the Hon Gabrielle Williams MP, said the Pound Road West Upgrade is being delivered through a new partnership approach to road building contracts, which means major projects move from paper to pavement sooner and easier.
"Transport projects in Dandenong not only deliver faster road and rail journeys - they support hundreds of local jobs for our area. This new approach means that smaller companies get better access to this project creating even more jobs," Ms Williams said.
Main construction is expected to start by late 2021.
The Pound Road West Upgrade is part of the broader Suburban Roads Upgrade - South Eastern and Northern Roads project. The project is jointly funded, with the Australian Government committing $1.14 billion and the Victorian government committing $2.27 billion.
