With the early works on the Sunbury Road Upgrade to be out of the way this month, major works are set to kick off in May.
According to Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV), crews will install temporary traffic barriers along three kilometres of the project alignment.
The final stage of the early works will include a speed reduction along Sunbury Road between Shepherds Lane and the Bulla-Diggers Rest roundabout.
MRPV said there will be an installation of temporary traffic barriers, providing one lane in each direction for vehicles while the new lanes are constructed behind the barriers.
Using expert advice, crews will also begin removing vegetation to create space for new lanes and will reuse logs and harvested seeds, according to MRPV.
Sunbury MP Josh Bull said the government were “getting on” with the road project to better connect communities to Sunbury’s town centre, improve travel times and ease congestion.
“Whether you’re driving, riding or walking, we’re building better roads that help get people home safer and sooner,” Mr Bull said.
MRPV will also be working on other sections of Sunbury Road, with lane closures and reduced speeds in place, generally between 9.30am and 3.30pm to avoid impacting peak traffic times, according to MRPV.
MRPV will then proceed to protect and relocate utility services.
As part of the Sunbury Road Upgrade, MRPV said they would be adding extra lanes in each direction between Powlett Street and Bulla-Diggers Rest Road, upgrade the existing bridge and build a bridge over Jacksons Creek, add safety barriers and shared-use paths.
A MRPV spokesperson said the upgrade will decrease travel times for more than 25,000 motorists who use Sunbury Road every day.
“Major works are set to commence in May – and after crews finish setting up construction barriers, they’ll carry out earthworks to lay the foundation for new traffic lanes,” the MRPV spokesperson said.
The upgrade is expected to be finished by 2025.