WORKS have begun on the construction of the Mordialloc Freeway.
The estimated $375 million project will stretch 9 kilometers, and link the Mornington Peninsula Freeway at Springvale Road in Aspendale Gardens to the Dingley Bypass in Dingley Village.
An inquiry panel considering the environmental effects of the proposed Mordialloc Bypass formed last year, and a three week public hearing period took place through February and March of 2019.
Major Road Projects Victoria says that changes made after community feedback was received 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, and a new intersection at Lower Dandenong Road so Woodlands Drive can remain open.”
The project is expected to be finished in late 2021.
After identifying them as preferred tenderer in March, McConnell Dowell-Decmil Joint Venture was officially awarded the contract to design and construct the freeway last month. They said that 75,000 motorists were predicted to use the route daily by 2031.
McConnell Dowell Australia managing director Jim Frith said “we have a strong team in place to deliver a complex design and construction program, with innovative solutions to building in a sensitive environment.”
“Construction of the Mordialloc Freeway will create 400 jobs, which will include 10 per cent of total labour hours allocated to training apprentices, trainees and cadets, building much needed skills within the industry,” he said.
Decmil managing director Scott Criddle said “our project team working on the early works package will now continue into the main works package to progress the project and delivery programme.”
“In addition, the Joint Venture is committed to sourcing at least 96 per cent of material and employment locally, benefiting the local community and broader economy,” he said.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 23 October 2019
