URGENT UPDATE: Major construction has just kicked off on the Clyde Road Upgrade, marking the largest phase yet for this significant infrastructure project. Crews have begun lifting 48-tonne, 74-metre-long bridge beams, expanding the overpass from 6 lanes to 10 lanes. This much-anticipated upgrade aims to alleviate congestion and enhance safety for thousands of motorists in Melbourne’s south-east.
Federal Bruce MP Julian Hill stated, “These massive bridge beams are an incredibly complex engineering feat, bringing us one step closer to a safer and more reliable journey.” The upgrade is essential for reducing bottlenecks along Clyde Road, making daily travel easier for local families.
Construction is set to continue over the coming months as crews work on the Princes Freeway overpass in Berwick. To minimize disruption, the project is carefully sequenced, but nightly closures will be necessary. The Princes Freeway will be closed in both directions at Clyde Road from 8 PM to 5 AM each weeknight until March 27, 2024. While drivers can still use freeway ramps through the closure, delays are expected.
The new, wider overpass will feature additional turning lanes onto the freeway ramps and dedicated bus lanes, enhancing public transport efficiency. State Member of South-Eastern Metropolitan Region Michael Galea emphasized the importance of this project, stating, “By easing bottlenecks and expanding this bridge to ten lanes, we’re delivering safer, smoother trips for local families.”
Throughout February and March, crews will also install concrete panels, weighing up to 3 tonnes each, followed by pouring concrete to form the foundation of the new lanes. Local manufacturing in Corio supports regional jobs and the Victorian economy as part of the Big Build initiative.
In a push for sustainability, the overpass’s new 5.6 metre center median wall incorporates low-carbon steel, demonstrating a commitment to reducing environmental impact. The project aims to utilize up to 39% lower-embodied carbon materials, contributing to sustainable construction practices.
As construction progresses, additional improvements are underway at the intersection of Berwick-Cranbourne and Thompson roads in Clyde North, alongside upgrades to Racecourse Road in Pakenham.
For ongoing updates on the Clyde Road Upgrade, visit the Big Build website at: [bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/roads/clyde-road-upgrade](https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/roads/clyde-road-upgrade). Stay tuned for more urgent updates as this transformative project develops.
