Joint $333.5m funding to deliver two vital road upgrades in Melbourne

Two vital road upgrades will be delivered to help relieve congestion, improve travel times and boost safety in Melbourne’s growing west as the Australian and Victorian Governments announce a joint $333.5 million investment. 

This significant funding will go towards the Werribee Main Road – Princes Freeway Interchange Upgrade and the Ballan Road Intersection Upgrade. 

“Every Victorian wants to spend less time stuck in traffic and more time with family – that’s why we’re delivering major road upgrades across Melbourne’s west and faster and safer journeys for decades to come,” Premier Jacinta Allan said. 

“We are committed to working with the Victorian Government to deliver quality transport infrastructure projects that get people home faster and safer, which is why we’re investing in these crucial road upgrades at Werribee and Wyndham Vale,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said. 

The Werribee Main Road – Princes Freeway Interchange Upgrade will include: 

• Improving intersections at: 

• • Ison Road / Werribee Main Road – new traffic light-controlled intersection 

• • Princes Freeway exit-ramp / Wests Road – new roundabout 

• • Princes Freeway entry-ramp / Werribee Main Road – new traffic light-controlled intersection 

• • William Thwaites Drive / Werribee Main Road – new traffic light-controlled intersection 

• Adding an additional lane on the Werribee Main Road bridge across the Princes Freeway 

• Upgrade the Princes Freeway entry-ramp citybound 

This upgrade will help increase capacity as well as reduce bottlenecks and dangerous queuing during peak times, making it easier for the 10,000 motorists who use the intersection daily. 

Werribee Main Road - Princes Freeway Interchange Upgrades map (source: Victoria's Big Build)

Meanwhile in Wyndham Vale, the Ballan Road Intersection Upgrade will involve: 

• Removing the existing roundabout at McGrath, Ballan and Greens roads and replace it with traffic lights 

• Adding traffic lights at the Ballan Road and McGrath Road (south) intersection 

• Improving walking and cycling connectivity at the intersection by adding new paths 

Previously, the Victorian Government backed the Ballan Road Upgrade by providing funding as part of the $674 million Road Blitz to Get Families Home Sooner and Safer Package. 

Ballan Road Intersection Upgrade map (source: Victoria's Big Build)

Major Road Projects Victoria will be delivering both upgrades, which are expected to create 1,624 jobs. Construction timelines for the two projects will be confirmed once detailed design plans progress. 

The two projects build on the benefits of the Ison Road Overpass and Extension, which is expected to be completed next year. 

The Australian Government is investing $19.5 billion towards transport infrastructure projects in Victoria over the next decade. 

“We are getting on and delivering these two important road upgrades in Melbourne’s west, which will pave the way for faster and safer journeys for decades to come,” VIC Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams said. 

“Only Labor is committed to building Wyndham’s future. This investment in essential local infrastructure will reduce congestion, ease the travel burden for residents commuting to work, and, most importantly, ensure that they return home safely,” Federal Member for Lalor Joanne Ryan said. 

Source: Premier of Victoria – Media Centre; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Victoria’s Big Build – Big Build Roads (1, 2)