Plenty Rd: Three Mernda and Mill Park roundabouts to go

The second stage of the major Plenty Rd upgrade is about to start. Here’s how 35,000 commuters from Melbourne’s north could be better off.

The Bridge Inn Rd roundabout in Mernda will be replaced with traffic lights.

Preparations are under way for the second stage of the $178 million Plenty Rd upgrade including removal of the Bridge Inn Rd roundabout.

The second stage of the overhaul is expected to take two years and includes removing three roundabouts between Mill Park and Mernda and widening the road from four to six lanes between Bush Blvd in Mill Park and Riverdale Blvd in Mernda.

Major Road Projects Victoria program director Damien Afxentis said people living between Bush Blvd and Bridge Inn Rd in Mernda had been sent letters advising “early works” were about to start.

The Francesca Dr roundabout in Mernda will be removed and replaced by traffic lights.

“These early works include locating underground services and surveying to ensure our team has all the information they need to allow major construction of this much-needed upgrade to run as smoothly and efficiently as possible,” he said.

The overhaul of the 7km stretch is expected to slash congestion for 35,000 commuters a day.

Stage one of the overhaul includes 5.6km of extra lanes between McKimmies Rd and Bush Boulevard and is expected to improve traffic flow for 52,000 drivers a day.

The first stage of the project is almost complete with additional lanes operational in both directions.

Mr Afxentis said access to shops would not be impacted by the works.

Initial works for the second stage will be undertaken between 7am to 6pm, Mr Afxentis said.