Upgrades to the Hume Freeway Melbourne-bound at Beveridge are using recycled asphalt, designed to be more robust and last longer.
Reconophalt, which has a lifespan of 15 per cent longer than standard asphalt, uses processed soft plastics such as shopping bags and chip wrappers, acting as a ‘glue’ that bonds and waterproofs roads.
It will be used to rebuild both through lanes and both shoulders of the southbound carriageway on an 800-metre stretch of the freeway.
Once complete, the new road surface on this section of the freeway will be composed of the estimated equivalent of 80,000 glass bottles, 600,000 plastic bags, 160 tonnes of reclaimed asphalt and 14,000 printer cartridges completing the recycling loop for the products.
“By diverting this waste from landfill and putting it into road projects like this Hume Freeway upgrade, we are taking the pressure off our natural resources,” Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said.
“We are supporting regional communities and the Victorian economy by helping to keep freight moving on critical transport connections like the Hume Freeway.”
An average of 39,000 vehicles travels on this section of the freeway each day, two-way traffic, including 15 per cent of heavy vehicles.
The $2.5 million project is the largest of 130 projects being delivered as part of the State Government’s $50 million road maintenance blitz across north-east Victoria.
Works are now underway and are expected to be complete within three weeks, weather depending.
Reduced speeds and lane closures will be in place during the duration of construction. Drivers are reminded to stay alert when travelling through work sites to keep road workers safe.
