TRAFFIC is now flowing on new southbound lanes for the full length of the Epping Road Upgrade in a huge step toward the project’s goal of safer, smoother travel.
The project team moved traffic onto the final section of the new lanes, between Findon Road and Memorial Avenue, on Thursday, June 18 in the project’s biggest milestone yet.
While building the 4km of new lanes between Craigieburn Road and Memorial Avenue, crews also upgraded six key intersections on the southbound side of the road in another huge boost for travel safety and reliability.
To build the new lanes, the project first removed nearly 40,000 cubic metres of material – enough to fill 16 Olympic swimming pools. Crews then laid 199,000 cubic metres of material including mudstone, crushed rock and asphalt – enough to fill nearly 31 Olympic pools!
In addition, 12.7km of kerb, nearly 2.7km of guard rail was installed and around 1180 cubic metres of concrete was laid for sections of shared path, bus stops and driveways.
With traffic now shifted to one lane in each direction on the newly built southbound lanes, crews are making strong progress on the next phase – rebuilding and upgrading northbound lanes of this vital project for travel between Wollert and Epping.
As part of these major works, the project has temporarily closed Young, Hall and Park Streets on the west side of Epping Road until November so crews can safely upgrade these intersections.
Major Road Projects Victoria Program Director Dipal Sorathia said together with the project’s construction partner McConnell Dowell they are making good progress.
“Moving traffic onto the final section of the new southbound lanes marks a significant milestone, with half of the new and upgraded lanes on Epping Road and High Street now complete. We’re progressing with major works on the northbound side, improving travel for drivers in Melbourne’s north.
“We appreciate the community’s patience as we continue working to deliver safer, smoother journeys for all the road’s users.”
These works will include upgrading existing lanes and kerbs, installing new drainage and medians, building new lanes and shared path, adding new on-road bike lanes and street lighting, and installing traffic lights at Park Street.
Access is being maintained via Miller Street, Memorial Avenue and Duffy Street, with delays of up to 10 minutes expected.
To help manage traffic flow during these intersection upgrades, the High Street Service Road is temporarily operating as a one-way street. To access properties and businesses including Aurora Support Services, Epping Preschool and Wellbeing Chiropractic and Massage, drivers can use Young Street to enter and Hall Street to exit, via the service road.
With major works due for completion in late 2025, the Epping Road Upgrade will provide safer, more-reliable journeys for 35,000 drivers daily.
The project will also provide new sections of shared path to improve connections for pedestrians and cyclists.
More information about the Epping Road Upgrade, including project updates and traffic changes, is available at bigbuild.vic/gov.au/epping