Communities in and around Sunbury can look forward to safer and easier access to the Calder Freeway with the start of the $25 million Vineyard Road duplication project. Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas and Member for Macedon Joanne Duncan MP were in Sunbury today to turn the first sod for the project.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Communities in and around Sunbury can look forward to safer and easier access to the Calder Freeway with the start of the $25 million Vineyard Road duplication project.
Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas and Member for Macedon Joanne Duncan MP were in Sunbury today to turn the first sod for the project.
“The Brumby Government is taking action to improve roads in communities across Victoria and this project would improve safety and travel times and reduce congestion for local road users,” Mr Pallas said.
“This section of Vineyard Road currently carries 20,000 vehicles per day and it also has a significant accident history with eight casualty crashes recorded in the five year period until 2006.
“This project will provide a much-improved four-lane divided road between Sunbury and the Calder Freeway.
“This will improve traffic flow and reduce the incidence of accidents, improving safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.”
In addition to the duplication, new traffic signals will be installed at the intersection of Vineyard Road and Mitchells Lane. The new signals will be operational by early 2009.
Ms Duncan welcomed the start of works and highlighted the benefits the duplication would bring for local families.
“Vineyard Road is the primary north-south link from the Calder Freeway, and with continued residential development in and around Sunbury it’s important to provide road network improvements to service the transport needs of our growing community,” Ms Duncan said.
“The project includes the construction of an off-road shared path for cyclists and pedestrians.
“Sunbury families will enjoy the safer walking and cycling links to encourage transport and recreation choices, and to contribute to the appeal of the area.
“Better road connections to the nearby industrial precinct will also encourage businesses and assist local jobs and growth.”
Winslow Projects Pty Ltd is VicRoads contractor for the Vineyard Road duplication. Design and planning works commenced early this year with major construction starting this week.
Works are now underway along Vineyard Road from Obeid Drive to Mitchells Lane, and will be completed by late 2009.
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