M1 upgrade full steam ahead with first new lane to open

A fourth outbound lane on a section of the Monash Freeway will open this weekend, as part of the Brumby Government’s major M1 upgrade.

Drivers will be able to make use of the new lane stretching 3.5 kilometres on the outbound section between Warrigal Road and Forster Road after it opens on the weekend.

Roads and Ports Minister, Tim Pallas said this was the first completed section of the $1.39 billion M1 upgrade, the State’s Government’s biggest state-funded road project.

“This new lane will give drivers the first taste of how the new M1 will operate.  Motorists will be able to use the new outbound lane as improvement works progress along the entire route,” Mr Pallas said. “This new lane will give drivers the first taste of how the new M1 will operate."

“When the project is complete there will be a new lane in each direction on the Monash Freeway from the CityLink tunnels all the way out to Heatherton Road.

“The extra lanes on the entire section between Jacksons and Warrigal Road are due to open by April next year, with the all sections due to open by the end of 2009.”

Mr Pallas said the M1 was the state’s busiest road and is getting busier.  

“The M1 currently carries traffic volumes in excess of 160,000 vehicles each day, including 20,000 trucks,” Mr Pallas said.

“In the last four years has increased by 5 per cent each year.

“With our freight task expected to double by 2030, and our ever growing south eastern suburbs, this major upgrade is crucial to the economic prosperity of our state.

“When completed, this upgrade it will not only improve safety but also increase the road’s efficiency and reliability.”

Mr Pallas took the opportunity to remind motorists to obey the safety speed limits along the corridor while construction works continue.

“The safety speed limits are in place to protect workers on the road as well as motorists and we are working closely with Victoria Police to ensure these speed limits are enforced,” Mr Pallas said.

Work on the entire M1 corridor is expected to be completed at the end of 2010.