DRIVERS in Melbourne’s outer north will soon benefit from safer and more reliable journeys thanks to $45 million in additional funding from the federal and state governments.
The Federal Government’s commitment of $37.4 million and the State Government’s commitment of $7.7 million will progress Stage 2 upgrades on Donnybrook Road.
This critical project is part of the federal and Victorian governments’ joint $1.2 billion Road Blitz to upgrade roads, cut congestion and improve safety in Melbourne’s growing suburbs.
The project will build on Stage 1 of the Donnybrook Road Upgrade, which is currently in pre-construction.
Stage 1 upgrades include transforming the roundabout at Donnybrook Road and Mitchell Street into a fully signalised intersection and building a new bridge over Kalkallo Creek.
Stage 2 will see a second bridge built over the Hume, and Donnybrook Road duplicated between the Hume and Dwyer Street, reducing congestion and improving traffic flow.
Intersection upgrades will also be carried out at the Hume Freeway outbound off-ramp.
New shared walking and cycling paths will be delivered along the northern side of Donnybrook Road between Polaris Road and Dwyer Street.
The upgrades will improve safety on Donnybrook Road and at the Hume Freeway interchange.
Stages 1 and 2 of the $170.1 million Donnybrook Road Upgrades build on a pipeline of major road upgrades under way across the outer north.
The $175 million Watson Street Interchange Upgrade and Northern Highway Intersection Upgrade in Wallan will also deliver new freeway ramps, additional lanes and upgraded walking and cycling connections.
Federal and State members were beaming at the announcement. Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell said it was an important moment for a ‘critical’ road.
“Donnybrook Road is a critical local connection, and these much-needed upgrades will make a real difference for the thousands of people in our community who use it every day,” he said.
Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage said these upgrades will help local families spend less time stuck in traffic and make it safer to get around the area.
Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams said these upgrades will ease congestion, improve safety and deliver better connections for the growing communities of Melbourne’s north.
