The Healesville-Kooweerup Road Upgrade is one step closer to completion, with all legs on the new roundabout at Ballarto Road now open to traffic.
The upgrade is adding an extra lane in each direction of Healesville-Kooweerup Road between Princes Freeway and Manks Road, as well as upgrading intersections and installing safety barriers.
The new roundabout at Ballarto Road represents a major safety upgrade for the intersection, which will make it safer for drivers turning into or crossing Healesville-Kooweerup Road, while still maintaining traffic flow along the road.
The roundabout’s westbound leg, which includes the new bridge on Ballarto Road over McGregor’s Drain, opened to traffic on Wednesday 28 June, following the opening of its eastbound leg in May and its north and southbound legs in late April.
Works are continuing at Island Road as MRPV crews replace the existing bridge over McGregor’s Drain with a new bridge.
The new bridge is expected to be stronger than the existing bridge and, once open, will better cater for heavy vehicle movements.
At Ellett Road MRPV crews are installing a new culvert to manage drainage and minimise erosion, while at Livestock Way works that will deliver a new through-and-left-turning lane and a new through-and-right-turning lane at the signalised intersection with Healesville-Kooweerup Road are being finalised.
Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV) Program Director Marc Peterson said the upgrade will deliver significantly safer driving conditions for motorists.
“The Healesville-Kooweerup Road Upgrade will provide an upgraded alternative north-south route in the Pakenham South area, ensuring improved safety and traffic flow for the 21,000 vehicles who use it every day,” Mr Peterson said.
It is also expected to lower the risk and severity of crashes, improve traffic flow and travel times and introduce a new link to the southeast walking and cycling network, authorities said.
The Healesville-Kooweerup Road Upgrade is expected to be complete by 2025.
