Tara Murray
Early planning and development work is currently under way for potential upgrades on the Calder Freeway.
Major Road Projects Victoria is conducting the works at Calder Park Drive and a possible diamond interchange being constructed.
The works include traffic modelling, planning studies and environmental investigations to help understand environmental and social impacts, developing design options and confirming the scope and costs of different options.
Investigations are now also focussed on the design of the new interchange at Calder Park Drive over the Calder Freeway, including potential relocation and/or closure of existing entrance points, and road improvements to Calder Park Drive.
Community feedback on how residents use the road and views on the interchange, views on the environment and landscape, and what’s important in the local area closed last week.
Timelines and milestones for the project will be determined through this planning work, and a business case is expected to be finalised in 2022.
Both the state and federal governments have committed $50 million each to the project, with Brimbank council advocating for it with its Fix the Calder campaign.
The council is calling on both governments to commit more funding, to help fully fund the project.
The Calder Park Drive level crossing is also being removed.
Sydenham MP Natalie Hutchins said an upgraded Calder Park Drive Interchange will transform transform the way people travel in the north and north-west.”
“The future Calder Park Drive Interchange will ensure the flow of traffic in the area is smoother, safer, more reliable and less congested.”
