The Pound Road West Upgrade in Dandenong South has been completed months ahead of schedule.
The new bridge across the Cranbourne railway line removes the previous dead-ends and connects Pound Road West and Remington Drive.
The project also adds an extra lane each way between Abbotts Road and South Gippsland Highway, and 3.1 kilometres of shared walking and cycling paths.
Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV) and construction firm Seymour Whyte completed the project in less than two years. It had been expected to open in late 2023.
The end was celebrated with a community event at Pound Road West, which included a drive over the new bridge by a convoy of locally owned trucks and buses.
There was also a free lunch at Five Star Café for local businesses.
Major Road Projects Victoria program director Marc Peterson said it was a vital “second link” between Abbotts Road and South Gippsland Highway.
“We’ve completed the Pound Road West Upgrade ahead of schedule, delivering a critical new transport link that has significantly improved connections in Dandenong South.
“We thank locals for their patience during construction of this essential upgrade.”
By 2031, more than 40,000 vehicles per day are expected to use the link..
During the project’s 400,000 working hours, more than 30,000 hours were worked by apprentices, trainees and cadets as well as more than 18,000 Aboriginal employment hours.
Female students from local secondary schools also attended Behind the Barriers events to gain awareness about construction job opportunities.
The project team recycled nearly 500 items of used work clothing and PPE, preventing the creation of almost 300 kilograms of carbon dioxide.
