Major construction will start soon on Northern Hwy Intersection Upgrade

Upgrades to the intersection of Northern Highway (High Street) and Watson Street in Wallan, Victoria will soon get underway to help provide smoother journeys, improved travel times as well as boost safety for motorists in Melbourne’s north.

Early works on the Northern Highway Intersection Upgrade will commence next month, with works to be carried out by Ace Infrastructure. Major construction, on the other hand, will begin by April of this year.

This announcement comes as major works begin on the Watson Street Interchange Upgrade.

“Whether you’re passing through Wallan, or picking up the kids from school, the completion of these major upgrades will mean less time in the car and a safer journey,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said.

“This is a much-needed upgrade that will make daily life easier for thousands of locals – easing congestion, improving safety and keeping people in Wallan and Melbourne’s growing north moving for years to come,” VIC Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams said.

Project map (source: Victoria's Big Build)

The upgrade will deliver additional lanes on the Northern Highway in both directions at the intersection of High Street and Watson Street, and a second right-turn lane from Watson Street into the Wallan township to make it easier for drivers to move through the area.

This project is being delivered as part of the Watson Street Intersection Upgrade, which will deliver new entry and exit ramps to create a full diamond interchange where Watson Street meets the Hume Freeway.

The ramps will provide locals with new connections to the Hume Freeway, helping them avoid congestion where the Northern Highway intersects with the Hume Freeway further south.

The new ramps at the Hume Freeway south of Watson Street as well as the intersection upgrade at Watson Street and the Northern Highway (High Street) will significantly improve access for people travelling in, out of and around Wallan.

Moreover, pedestrians and cyclists will benefit from the upgrade, with the existing shared-use path along Watson Street upgraded and new street lighting and signage to be installed.

The Watson Street Interchange Upgrade and Northern Highway Intersection Upgrade have a combined value of $175 million, which is funded with a $90 million investment from the Australian Government and $85 million from the Victorian Government.

“For too long we have battled the bottleneck getting to and from the freeway and around Wallan and this investment, along with the ramps, will cut travel times, improve safety and deliver the modern road connections our growing community deserves,” Federal Member for McEwan Rob Mitchell said.

“Creating the full diamond interchange offers motorists entry and exits closer to home, meaning they’re spending less time stuck in traffic every day,” State Member for Kalkallo Ros Spence said.

“The investment in both projects highlights Labor’s commitment to delivering the infrastructure communities in Melbourne’s north need and deserve,” State Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage said.

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Premier of Victoria – Media Centre; Victoria’s Big Build – Big Build Roads; Mitchell Shire Council; Roads & Infrastructure Australia