Major construction underway on Yan Yean Rd Upgrade Stage 2

Major construction activities have commenced on the second stage of the Yan Yean Road Upgrade in Melbourne’s outer north-east.

An extra lane is being built in each direction between Kurrak and Bridge Inn roads, with intersection upgrades and a new walking and cycling path.

The Yan Yean Road Upgrade Stage 2 will include:

• Replacing the roundabouts at Orchard and Bridge Inn roads with upgraded intersections, which will include new traffic lights
• Upgrading intersections with new traffic lights at North Oatlands Road, Bannons Lane, Jorgensen Avenue and Activity Way
• Building new roundabouts at Heard Avenue and Youngs Road that will be suitable for heavy vehicle U-turns
• Upgrading the signalised intersection at Ironbark Road
• Installing new signalised pedestrian crossings south of Worns Lane and north of Youngs Road
• Building a new traffic light intersection at the entrance of Yarrambat Park
• Building new walking and cycling paths along both sides of Yan Yean Road

The traffic lights to be installed at the Activity Way intersection is a key recommendation from community consultation.

“The next stage of this project will make journeys on one of Melbourne’s busiest arterial roads quicker and easier,” VIC Minister for Roads and Road Safety Paul Hamer said.

“We’ve listened to locals and are making major improvements to Yan Yean Road, with new lanes, upgraded intersections and a new walking and cycling path,” State Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage said.

Project map (source: Victoria's Big Build)

These works will help improve traffic flow and make journeys more reliable around one of Melbourne’s fastest growing regions.

The first two intersection upgrades are on track to be completed early next year.

“These intersection upgrades will remove a major bottleneck on Yan Yean Road, slashing congestion for the 24,000 motorists who use this road every day,” Acting Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Kristy McBain said.

The Doreen business precinct is set to benefit from the upgrade, with improved access, new community spaces, upgraded bus stops, and new cycling and walking paths.

The project is designed to protect several River Red Gums and the historic General Store, which both are part of the area’s rural character.

From early November until late December, Activity Way will be closed to traffic while Yan Yean Road will remain open.

Meanwhile, local shops will be accessible via Bridge Inn Road and the nearby service station can be accessed from Yan Yean Road.

These upgrades are jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments through the $3.14 billion Suburban Roads Upgrade – South Eastern Roads and Northern Roads program.

The works are also part of a broader range of transport improvements being rolled out across Melbourne’s outer north-east, which includes the Watson Street Interchange and Northern Highway Intersection upgrades in Wallan, the Road Blitz – Donnybrook Road Upgrades, the Road Blitz – Mickelham Road Upgrade Stage 2, and the Camerons Lane Interchange Project.

“Since coming to government we have invested in more roads than any other government before us. The Albanese Labor Government knew Yan Yean Road was a major priority for our community, so we got on with the job of delivering this as part of our pipeline of road improvements across our region,” Federal Member for McEwan Rob Mitchell said.

Source: Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories; Premier of Victoria – Media Centre; Victoria’s Big Build – Big Build Roads