• Funding program Investment Road and Rail Program
  • Status Underway
  • Transport mode Road
  • Expected start/finish Early 2021 - Mid 2029
  • Estimated project cost $56,377,000
  • Australian Government contribution $48,837,000
  • Local Council/Shire Brimbank City Council,Buloke Shire Council,Greater Bendigo City Council,Hume City Council,Loddon Shire Council,Macedon Ranges Shire Council,Mildura Rural City Council,Mount Alexander Shire Council
  • State VIC

Project description

This investment will deliver targeted upgrades on the Calder Highway/Freeway corridor between Melbourne and Mildura. These upgrades are expected to address identified pinch points in the corridor to improve throughput. They are also expected to increase access for higher productivity freight vehicles, leading to an overall increase in the efficiency and safety of the corridor for all road users. Upgrades to this corridor are also expected to support local industry and the creation of local jobs.

Works in Tranche 1 include: 

- Baileys Road Intersection Upgrade, Sea Lake - The Australian Government has committed $3 million towards the upgrade of the intersection of the Calder Highway with Baileys Road at Lake Tyrrell, near Sea Lake.

- Overtaking Lanes - The Australian Government has committed $12.4 million towards the construction of three new overtaking lanes on the Calder Highway, north and southbound lanes between Marong and Bridgewater, and a southbound lane south of Hattah.

- Widecentreline treatment between Sunraysia Highway and Red Cliffs - The Australian Government has committed $2.7 million towards delivery of a wide centerline treatment to remaining sections of the Calder Highway between the Sunraysia Highway and Red Cliffs.

- Development and preconstruction - The Australian Government has committed $4.3 million towards scoping and development works to inform a future program of works for the Melbourne to Mildura corridor.

Benefits

  • Improved road safety for all road users
  • Improved connectivity between people with jobs and services, and goods with markets
  • Improved accessibility and connectivity of road networks

Funding

The total project cost of this corridor is $68.5 million (this includes the contribution of $1m by the local council towards the $4m Baileys Road Intersection, Sea Lake Project).

Timetable

Scoping and development works for the corridor started in early 2021. Baileys Road Intersection Upgrade project reached practical completion in late 2022. Wide Centreline treatment between Sunraysia Highway and Red Cliffs project has also reached practical completion in March 2023. Remaining works for Tranche 1 are underway.

Project last updated:

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