By Laura Wakely
GREENSBOROUGH-BOUND drivers will be diverted onto new lanes on the Western Ring Road this week.
Road works on the M80 Ring Rd will divert drivers travelling on the two kilometre stretch between Airport Drive and the Tullamarine Freeway as part of VicRoads upgrades.
Project Director Sebastian Motta said the traffic redirection was an important step to progress the first section of works between the Calder Freeway and Sydney Rd, which is due to be completed in late 2012.
“By moving traffic onto the new lanes in the middle of the road, our construction crews can continue to widen into the outside shoulder of the Ring Rd,” Mr Motta said.
“This will allow us to ultimately create an extra two lanes in each direction between Airport Drive and the Tullamarine Freeway to help reduce congestion and improve safety.
“We have installed more than four of concrete barriers and laid 13,000 tonnes of asphalt on this section of road over the last few months to create the new lanes.”
Mr Motta said crews had installed more than 90 tonnes of steel reinforcement and poured 630 cubic metres of concrete to widen the bridge over Melrose Drive and two bridges at the Tullamarine interchange.
He said planning for the traffic change aimed to ensure the safety of drivers while minimising disruption.
“Drivers will notice new traffic arrangements, including changed line marking and barriers, so we encourage them to take extra care when travelling through this section,” Mr Mott said.
“We thank drivers for their patience as we continue to upgrade one of Melbourne’s key freeways.”
Jointly funded by the Victorian and Australian Governments, the $2.25 billion M80 Ring Rd Upgrade aims to improve safety and reduce congestion along the 38 km road between Laverton North and Greensborough.
The full upgrade is expected to take more than five years to complete and will see the Ring Rd widened to at least three lanes each way.
