Congestion will be slashed for 160,000 motorists using the M80 Ring Road every day, with contracts signed and construction to start within weeks.

The Commonwealth and Victorian Governments today announced Fulton Hogan as the successful tenderer for the M80 Ring Road Upgrade from Sunshine Avenue to the Calder Freeway.

The upgrade will see 3.2 kilometres of the M80 Ring Road widened from two lanes to four lanes in each direction from Sunshine Avenue to the EJ Whitten Bridge and from two lanes to five lanes through to the Calder Freeway.

Two major bottlenecks will be removed at Sunshine Avenue and Keilor Park Drive, where traffic merges from four lanes to two at Sunshine Avenue, and then again shortly after at Keilor Park Drive.

Once complete, there will be no lane restrictions from the Western Highway to Sunshine Avenue, cutting travel times by 15 minutes.

In addition, ramp signalling and overhead Lane Use Management Systems will help to ensure a smoother and more efficient journey for motorists.

The EJ Whitten Bridge will also have public safety barriers installed to transform the bridge for cyclists and pedestrians – providing a safer and more enjoyable experience for local families and commuters.Work on the upgrade will start within weeks and be completed by late 2018.

Quotes attributable to Member for Sydenham, Natalie Hutchins

“Soon we will be able to say goodbye to this notorious bottleneck forever!”

“I have proudly advocated for the addition of safety barriers and the removal of this bottleneck so it’s great to see our Victorian Labor Government delivering for our community”

“This project will slash travel times; saving Greensborough-bound motorists up to 15 minutes and Altona-bound motorists up to 10 minutes.”

“This upgrade will boost safety through better road layout that reduces the need for motorists to merge and weave, making it safer for everyone going to work, doing their job or getting to the airport.”

Quotes attributable to Member for St Albans, Natalie Suleyman

“We’re fixing two notorious bottlenecks and widening the road, so people will spend less time in traffic and more time with their families.”

“This upgrade will benefit the local community, including 1350 direct and in direct jobs, as well as significant flow-on benefits to local businesses.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Niddrie, Ben Carroll

“New safety barriers will transform the EJ Whitten Bridge for cyclists and pedestrians, providing a safer and more enjoyable experience for local families and commuters.”

“A new freeway management system will keep traffic flowing, even when the road is busy.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Broadmeadows, Frank McGuire

“This upgrade is great news for thousands of Victorians who rely on the Ring Road every day.”

“We’re getting on with removing a notorious bottleneck which will deliver quicker journeys for drivers, the local community and the freight industry.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Kororoit, Marlene Kairouz

“The M80 Upgrade will ease congestion, cut travel times and make the drive safer and more reliable for the 160,000 motorists using the freeway every day.”

“More than 330 people were hurt and five people died driving on the M80 Ring Road in a five year period. That’s not good enough. We’re making the M80 safer with this upgrade.”