The intersection of Frankston-Dandenong Road and Thompsons Road will be closed for five weeks as the State Government removes the roundabout four months ahead of schedule.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan made the announcement on Monday 1 June, saying the closure, effective from 5 June, would save residents and road users from ongoing delays and detours and ease congestion even faster than planned.
Taking advantage of the current lower traffic volumes, the intersection will be closed for five weeks to allow the project team to work around the clock to remove the roundabout without disruption or the danger of live traffic.
It was also been timed to start just as major construction finishes on the nearby Hallam Road Upgrade, with Hallam Road duplicated and traffic lights installed at the South Gippsland Highway intersection.
More than 58,000 vehicles travel through the Frankston-Dandenong Road and Thompsons Road intersection every day, making it an extremely busy freight and transport link in Melbourne’s booming south east.
The existing roundabout at Frankston-Dandenong Road will be replaced with traffic lights to reduce congestion, improve traffic flow and support the predicted growth in the surrounding suburbs.
Once complete, there will be three lanes travelling through the intersection and two right-turn lanes at every approach, providing a more reliable and smoother journey.
Dedicated slip lanes are also being built at each approach to the intersection to reduce the queuing effect of left-turning vehicles on through traffic.
“This upgrade is another way we’re easing congestion in Melbourne’s booming south-eastern suburbs so that drivers can get where they need to go sooner and safer,” Ms Allan said.
Works are also continuing on the new road bridge and level crossing removal at Evans Road, which will make it easier and safer for drivers travelling between Thompsons Road and Hallam Road.
Carrum MP Sonya Kilkenny said: “I know a lot of people in our community are going to be frustrated with losing access to the intersection for five weeks, but it means we will remove the roundabout four months sooner.”
Motorists are strongly advised to completely avoid the area and to seek an alternate route. Visit Victoria’s Big Build for the latest traffic disruption information: bigbuild.vic.gov.au
