The first major contract has been awarded as part of the $750 million toll-free Peninsula Link project with BMD Constructions appointed to build the Lathams Road overpass in Carrum Downs, Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas announced today.
Mr Pallas said work would commence at Lathams Road within weeks, demonstrating the Brumby Labor Government’s commitment to delivering this vital new transport link for Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs and the Mornington Peninsula.
“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action now to invest in new roads, to tackle congestion and improve Victoria’s road network – while generating thousands of jobs,” Mr Pallas said. “The Brumby Labor Government is taking action now to invest in new
roads, to tackle congestion and improve Victoria’s road network.”
“The $9.4 million Lathams Road overpass has been fast-tracked to allow early works to commence on the vital Peninsula Link project, which will see jobs and other local opportunities created even sooner.
“Australian firm BMD Constructions has won the contract to construct the overpass and realign Lathams Road between Stephenson Road and Frankston-Gardens Drive.”
Member for Cranbourne Jude Perera MP said Lathams Road was an important connection between the Carrum Downs industrial precinct and EastLink, carrying around 14,000 vehicles each day.
“The overpass will be constructed adjacent to the existing roadway, allowing Lathams Road to remain open during construction and ensuring minimal impact to local motorists and businesses,” Mr Perera said.
“Early progress on the overpass will also deliver a major community benefit by allowing construction vehicles to travel under Lathams Road at an earlier stage, taking these vehicles off local streets.”
Mr Pallas said the search to find a private partner to finance, design, build, maintain and operate Peninsula Link was continuing, with three consortia recently short-listed to progress into the bidding process.
“We are confident of achieving the best possible outcome for the community through this competitive bidding process, with the project itself set to deliver massive travel time savings and create 4000 jobs during construction alone,” he said.
Peninsula Link is a toll-free 25-kilometre road connection between EastLink and the Frankston Freeway at Carrum Downs and the Mornington Peninsula Freeway at Mt Martha. When completed in early-2013, Peninsula Link will slash travel times between Carrum Downs and Mount Martha to around 17 minutes.