All go for a bypass

By Melissa Grant
RESIDENTS are getting excited about this weekend’s Pakenham Bypass opening.
VicRoads has confirmed the freeway’s in-bound lanes will open to traffic on Saturday evening but those wanting to use the outbound lanes will have to wait until Sunday morning.
Locals are invited to attend a special community event at noon on Saturday to officially celebrate the opening.
They will have an opportunity to walk on a 1.5km stretch of the bypass between Healesville-Kooweerup Road and Bald Hill Road before it opens to traffic.
Project director Charlie Broadhurst said poor weather would delay the opening of the $242 project by 24 to 48 hours but there would be signs erected on the Princes Highway to advise motorists of opening arrangements.
Tracey Radford, who has campaigned for the bypass since 2001, said most people couldn’t wait for it to open on Saturday.
“Everyone is really excited,” she said.
“It’s going to make it (travel) a heck of a lot easier.”
Cardinia Shire mayor Kate Lempriere said the bypass would prove to be a great asset for the local community.
“I couldn’t be more delighted,” she said.
“I can’t wait for the opportunities that this is going to bring to the district.”
Although the freeway’s ultimate speed limit is 100kmh, police will be enforcing a 60km/h speed limit for the first 24 hours and an 80km/h limit for the week after the opening while the road stabilises.