By BRIDGET COOK
THE wheels are in motion for the $49 million upgrade of Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road with the construction contract awarded this week.
Premier Denis Napthine announced that the contract was awarded to Winslow Constructors for the upgrade of the arterial road between Pound and Thompson roads.
Works are expected to start by the end of the year and finish in 2015.
The section of road due for duplication carries about 29,000 vehicles each day and has had 52 casualty crashes in the five years to December 2012.
Mr Napthine said the upgrade would improve access, safety and traffic flow along the important arterial road.
“This upgrade will deliver safer and less congested conditions for drivers along Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road with three lanes each way between Ormond Road and Glasscocks Road and two lanes each way for the other sections between Pound Road and Thompson Road.
“Intersection upgrades at Ormond Road and Glasscocks Road and new traffic signals at Rosebank Drive will also help people access residential and commercial areas more safely and easily.”
Minister for Public Transport and Roads Terry Mulder said there would also be improved conditions for cyclists and pedestrians as part of the upgrade.
“A new shared path for cyclists and pedestrians along the east side of Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road will improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists and improve facilities in this lively area,” he said.
