NORTH-EAST: Final contracts for Eastern Fwy
Contracts have been awarded for the final stages of the Eastern Freeway transformation.
The Momentum consortium – comprising John Holland, Seymour Whyte, Jacobs and Mott Macdonald – has been awarded the contract to upgrade the freeway between Hoddle St and Burke Rd, including new lanes, new motorway technology, connections to the Eastern Busway, and walking and cycling paths.
The Synergy consortium – comprising CPB Contractors, BMD Constructions and Arup – has been awarded the contract for the upgrades between Tram and Springvale Rds, including new lanes, new managed motorway technology and upgrades to the Koonung Creek Linear Park.
Construction is well underway on the first section of Eastern Freeway between Burke and Tram Rds – with work to build the new interchange with North East Link, new busway and new lanes moving ahead.
Once complete the works will add more than 45 kilometres of new lanes. It will also deliver new express lanes, modern traffic management technology and Melbourne’s first dedicated 11-kilometre busway from Doncaster toward the city – seamlessly connecting to the new North East Link tunnels from Watsonia to Bulleen.
Urban Design and Landscape Plans for these stages of the Eastern Freeway Upgrades will go on exhibition later this year.
A huge amount of work is underway to build North East Link and upgrade the freeways – two tunnel boring machines are digging deep under Rosanna, interchanges are being built near Bulleen Rd and Greensborough Bypass, and work is underway along the M80 and the Eastern Freeway between Burke and Tram Rds.
Premier Jacinta Allan (pictured) said: “The North East Link Project and Eastern Freeway Upgrade – will slash travel times for busy families and get trucks off local roads.”
Gabrielle Williams, Minister for Transport Infrastructure, said: “We’re adding more than 45 kilometres of new lanes where they’re needed most, slashing travel times along the Eastern Freeway.”
Deakin MHR Matt Gregg said: “Melbourne’s east has waited long enough for an overhaul of the Eastern Freeway. This upgrade will mean faster travel times, and will deliver the city’s first dedicated busway and connect to the North East Link tunnels.”
Ivanhoe MLA Anthony Carbines said: “Boosting capacity across the freeway will ease congestion – ensuring the thousands of people who rely on the Eastern every day, get to where they need to go sooner and safer.”