McConnell Dowell-Decmil JV to deliver $375m Mordialloc Freeway VIC

Major construction activities on the $375 million Mordialloc Freeway in Melbourne’s south-east is now underway and the McConnell Dowell - Decmil Joint Venture has been officially awarded the contract to design and build the project.

“We have a strong team in place to deliver a complex design and construction program, with innovative solutions to building in a sensitive environment,” McConnell Dowell Australia Managing Director Jim Frith said.

The project will deliver a 9-kilometre freeway that will link the Mornington Peninsula Freeway at Springvale Road in Aspendale Gardens to the Dingley Bypass in Dingley Village. The Mordialloc Freeway will be a continuous route from Frankston to Clayton.

This multi-million dollar project will also deliver upgrades to the existing interchange at Thames Promenade in Chelsea and the Mornington Peninsula Freeway as well as freeway entry and exit ramps, and a cycling and walking path along the entire length of the freeway.

Source: Major Road Projects Victoria

A number of changes have been made to the project design as response to community feedback. These changes include:

• Bridges over Governor Road, Lower Dandenong Road and Centre Dandenong Road instead of traffic lights
• A bridge over Old Dandenong Road to keep it open for Dingley Village residents
• A twin bridge over the sensitive wetlands to ensure rainfall and natural light reaches the vegetation below
• Longer and taller fences next to Braeside Park to protect local wildlife
• A wider pedestrian underpass at Braeside Park to improve connectivity
• A new intersection at lower Dandenong Road so Woodlands Drive can remain open

“Decmil is very pleased to be partnering with McConnell Dowell and Major Road Projects Victoria on another large scale transport infrastructure project. Our project team working on the early works package will now continue into the main works package to progress the project and delivery programme,” Decmil managing Director Scott Criddle said.

Approximately 400 jobs will be created during the construction of the Mordialloc Freeway, with about 10 per cent of the total labour hours dedicated to training apprentices, trainees and cadets to help build vital skills within the industry. The McConnell Dowell - Decmil Joint Venture will also be committed to locally sourcing about 96 per cent of its workforce and materials, which will benefit the local community and broader economy.

The project is due to be completed by late 2021.

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Source: McConnell Dowell; Major Road Projects Victoria (1, 2); Construction Advisor