Drivers in Melbourne’s west can now enjoy a smoother and more reliable journey through Laverton North, with major works on the Dohertys-Fitzgerald intersection now complete.
The new intersection is now open, thanks to construction crews working around the clock through January to replace the existing roundabout with a signalised intersection.
Part of the $1.8 billion Western Roads Upgrade, the project has seen more than 6,500 cubic metres of rock, sand and clay moved, and 5,000 tonnes of asphalt laid over three and a half weeks.
The new intersection is one of five to be upgraded on Dohertys Road between Fitzgerald Road and Grieve Parade – with traffic lights to be added to the intersection of Hume Road and roundabouts built at Cherry Lane and Cyanamid Street.
An upgrade to the Dohertys and Palmers roads intersection is also underway, due for completion in early March.
As well as the intersection upgrades, drivers will benefit from an extra lane in each direction between Fitzgerald Road and Grieve Parade, and the second bridge over the Princes Freeway helping reduce congestion in the area.
A new bridge for cyclists and pedestrians is being built over Dohertys Road as part of the upgrade to the Federation Trail – part of more than 50km of cycling and pedestrian paths are being built across the Western Roads upgrade.
Dohertys Road connects key industrial areas in the west to important freight routes, nearby freeways and the Port of Melbourne, carrying up to 20,000 vehicles each day.
Its upgrade will improve journey times, slash congestion, take heavy vehicles off local roads, improve freight links and keep cyclists and pedestrians safe from busy traffic.
The Western Roads Upgrade is improving eight major roads across Melbourne’s west to make it quicker, easier and safer for all road users – giving local businesses opportunities for growth, improving access to jobs and boosting safety for cyclists and pedestrians.
The upgrade also includes the resurfacing of 37 other roads to improve quality and safety, and the maintenance of more than 260km of road from Footscray to Werribee for the next 20 years.
