Downer awarded Western Port Highway

07/02/2022

Downer has been awarded a new $70 million contract to upgrade the Western Port Highway in South-East Melbourne.

The upgrades will create approximately 350 new jobs throughout construction, while improving safety and managing the traffic flow on and off the highway for the 22,00 motorists who use it each day.

Under the contract, which is jointly funded by the Victorian and Federal Governments, Downer will provide services including the upgrade of 2 intersections with replacements of the roundabouts at Ballarto Road and Cranbourne-Frankston Road and traffic lights to better manage traffic workflow coming on and off the Western Port Highway, as part of an integrated traffic signalled control network. 

Downer’s General Manager – Southeast Region, Karl McCarthy, said Downer looked forward to working closely with its partners to deliver this important project.

“Downer is pleased to have been entrusted by the Victorian and Federal Governments to deliver this important upgrade, which will improve road safety and traffic efficiency and deliver more reliable journeys for Victorian motorists,” Karl said.

“We are proud to be involved in the delivery of efficient urban transport networks that help create more liveable cities.

“Our team has significant expertise delivering services within the constraints imposed by a live operating environment, and we will work closely with all stakeholders to safely deliver this upgrade while minimising disruption on what is one of Melbourne’s busiest highways.” 

Work will start at the end of this month, with the removal of existing roundabouts, median strips and preparation for critical construction activities. The project is set to be completed before the end of the year. 

EGM of Infrastructure Projects, Mark Mackay said, “We are proud to be delivering such an important transport project on one of Victoria’s busiest highways. The project will ease traffic congestion and provide new motorway connections, which will help Victoria cope with increased transport demands.”