Preferred builder has been announced for VIC Bridge Inn Road Upgrade

Laing O’Rourke has been awarded the contract to deliver the Bridge Inn Road Upgrade in Victoria as part of the $2.27 billion Suburban Roads Upgrade – South Eastern Roads and Northern Roads package. 

This Suburban Roads Upgrade package is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments – each contributing $1.1 billion – and it aims to fix roads across the south eastern as well as northern parts of Melbourne. 

“Melbourne’s north is one of the fastest growing regions in the country and the Australian Government is committed to delivering these vital infrastructure projects to support this growth. 

“This project is one of many critical infrastructure projects to receive funding from the Morrison Government as part of its record $110 billion, 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline, which is helping to drive Australia’s economic recovery. 

“By alleviating congestion on roads like this one, we’re helping people to get home to their families sooner and safer, we’re helping freight move more quickly between our cities, and we’re generating jobs across the country,” Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said. 

Project map (source: Major Road Projects Victoria)

The Bridge Inn Road Upgrade will include: 

• Adding extra lanes in each direction 
• Installation of traffic lights at Cookes Road and Garden Road 
• Building a bridge over Plenty River and upgrade the existing bridge 
• Installation of safety barriers along the road 
• Upgrading the intersections at Schotters Road, Vantage Point Boulevard and Painted Hills Road 
• Installation of traffic lights near Ivanhoe Grammar School, including a pedestrian crossing to improve access to local schools 
• Building a new shared walking and cycling path 

“Adding additional lanes in each direction will slash congestion and create safer journeys for the thousands of drivers who rely on Bridge Inn Road every day. 

“We’re delivering the projects Victorians need – making it easier and more accessible for locals to get where they need to go,” Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said. 

Once the upgrade is completed, motorists will be able to experience improved traffic flow and travel times. The project will also provide better access to the new Mernda train station and the proposed Mernda town centre as well as boost connectivity to residential and employment precincts in the north. 

The new shared path, on the other hand, will make walking or cycling around the local area easier and safer. 

“Our community understands how frustrating being stuck in traffic along Bridge Inn Road is – that’s why we’re widening Bridge Inn Road and adding these new road safety features to ease congestion. 

“Melbourne’s north deserves to have safer and better journeys as they travel throughout the area – and that’s exactly what we’re doing by delivering this vital upgrade,” State Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green said. 

Major construction activity is anticipated to commence in the first half of 2022 and is due to be completed in 2025. 

Source: Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts; Premier of Victoria – Media Centre; Major Road Projects Victoria (1, 2); Inside Construction