Tara Murray
Upgrades to the Calder Park Drive interchange are a step closer, with a planning study under way.
The state government’s Major Roads Projects Victoria (MRPV) Authority has begun investigations and planning to inform a business case for the Calder Freeway and Calder Park Drive interchange.
The planning is centred around the construction of a new freeway interchange at Calder Park Drive over the Calder Freeway, including relocating existing entrance points in the area and improvements to the road network to improve traffic flow and safety in the area.
The study includes traffic modeling and environmental investigations, along with speaking with the Level Crossing Removal Authority (LCRA) about the recently announced the level crossing removal at Calder Park Drive.
Timelines and milestones are expected to be determined through this planning work and the business case is being developed for future funding consideration.
The state and federal governments have both committed $50 million for targeted upgrades on the Calder Freeway between Gap Road in Sunbury and the M80 Ring Road.
Brimbank mayor Ranka Rasic welcomed the planning work.
“Council welcomes the steps taken by the state government’s Major Roads Projects Victoria (MRPV) to start preliminary planning and develop a business case for the Calder Freeway-Calder Park Drive interchange,” Cr Rasic said.
“While this doesn’t mean the interchange works are funded, it is excellent to get the business case under way.
“Actions like these bring us one step closer to being able to deliver safer road connections for everyone travelling on the Calder.”
Earlier this year, the council launched its ‘Fix the Calder’ campaign, calling for the freeway to be upgrades with additional lanes, a full diamond interchange at Calder Park Drive and the duplication of Calder Park Drive.
