West Gate, Monash Fwy, M80 Ring Road upgrades to cause traffic chaos in winter blitz

A winter construction blitz to upgrade Victoria’s busiest roads will begin next week, including a major shake-up to how drivers use the West Gate Freeway.

Some of Victoria’s busiest roads will be transformed during a winter construction blitz, including a permanent change to how people travel on the West Gate Freeway.

Express services on the Frankston line will be altered for two months while Lilydale and Belgrave passengers will spend weeks on replacement buses.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan on Monday announced months of disruptions would begin for railway upgrades while major roadworks would be finished on key arterials.

The upgrade of new lanes on the Monash Freeway is 95 per cent done and there will be daytime lane closures between Warrigal and Cardinia roads while the job is finished off.

Lilydale and Belgrave passengers will spend weeks on replacement buses in the blitz.

Motorists on the M80 Ring Road will again be able to travel 100km/h between Sydney and Edgars roads from this Wednesday and the area will become part of the state’s “smart management system” which allows speed limits and lanes to be adjusted from a Department of Transport control room.

This allows officials to better manage traffic jams by adjusting key parts of Melbourne’s roads as one network.

Works to widen the West Gate Freeway will mean major adjustments to the busy corridor.

On the last weekend of May, the ramps will be closed from the 80 Ring Road to the West Gate Freeway city-bound, and the ramp from the Princes Freeway to Geelong Road.

In a major change, outbound drivers on the freeway will need to pick a lane earlier if they want to access Millers Rd once these works are completed in June and in July motorists will notice more lane changes from the Princes Freeway to the West Gate Freeway.

Expect even more changes to the West Gate Fwy from next weekend. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Construction disruptions will also affect 17 railway lines and two tram routes.

A road bridge will be built over the level crossing in Ardeer and sections of Fitzgerald Rd will be closed during July to allow this.

Express services on the Frankston Line will stop at all stations for two months, starting from July 8, while there are major works on the corridor.

Level crossing works at Surrey Hills and Mont Albert will also force commuters on to replacement trains between Camberwell and Ringwood from July 8 to 10.

Buses will also replace services from Camberwell to Box Hill from July 10 to 24.

Good news — works on the Monash Freeway are 95 per cent complete. Picture: Jake Nowakowski.

“Whether it’s the completion of the Monash Freeway Upgrade or removing our 65th level crossing months ahead of schedule – we’re supporting thousands of jobs and delivering the projects we promised,” Ms Allan said.

“We encourage Victorians travelling over winter to plan ahead as we deliver the projects our growing city and state needs.”

Other changes will see the intersection of Porter St and Fitzsimons Lane in Melbourne’s north reopen, while nearby Foote St will be closed for six weeks while for further upgrades.

Major delays are expected and motorists are asked to expect longer trips on Manningham Rd, King Street, Doncaster Rd and Blackburn Rd.

Roads Minister Ben Carroll said: “We always try and minimise disruption as much as possible and we thank Victorians for their patience as we get on with a huge program of works”.