The addition of three new lanes on the Moonee Ponds Creek Bridge have been opened, easing traffic for Greensborough-bound commuters on the Western Ring Road. The bridge had been undergoing roadworks to realign its steep gradients, which heavy commercial vehicles found difficult to traverse.
Member of Wills, Kelvin Thomson, said the new lanes were already working to improve the safety of this particular section of the Western Ring Road for the 142,000 vehicles that travel through the road every day.
“The new bridge is six metres higher than the outgoing bridge and has created safer conditions by reducing the difference in speed between heavier and lighter vehicles,” Mr Thomson said.
Representing the Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese, Member for Calwell Maria Vamvakinou was also present at the road opening, saying the development is a significant milestone for the greater M80 project.
She added that the M80 will be receiving more improvements across different points, in a bid by the federal and Victorian governments to improve traffic and safety by adding new lanes, traffic management systems and by reconfiguring interchanges.
The M80 project is understood to support approximately 14,400 direct and indirect jobs curing the construction period. The Victorian Coalition Government has promised $300 million to fund the project, while the Australian government is to commit $900 million to the $2.25 billion project.