Works to protect the APA gas pipeline underneath Kangan Drive and Clyde Road have been completed as part of the Clyde Road Upgrade.
The next significant milestone on the project has concluded with the installation of a 13-cubic tonne protective concrete slab placed over the pipeline.
Protection of the pipeline and relocation of underground services was needed to make room for the new lanes and shared walking and cycling path along Clyde Road and this work has minimised the risk of a service disruption once major works start later this year.
Part of the 2000-kilometre Victorian Transmission System, this important pipeline works to supply natural gas throughout the region and work was required to protect it for the upgrade.
To protect this essential infrastructure, the team carefully removed the road surface and installed a concrete slab as protection.
The 13-week pipeline protection works included pouring the concrete slab and laying 170 cubic metres of crushed rock and 30 metres of clean soil.
There will be further works in the area to relocate other utilities ahead of major works starting later this year.
The Clyde Road Upgrade will relieve bottlenecks for residents, commuters and users of nearby health and educational institutions including Monash Health – Casey Hospital, St John of God Hospital, Federation University and Chisholm Institute.
These works will add additional lanes on Clyde Road between the Princes Freeway and Kangan Drive, upgrade both freeway intersections and Kangan Drive/Sir Gustav Nossal Boulevard intersection as well as widening the existing freeway bridge.
The upgrade also will build and upgrade 1.2km of shared walking and cycling paths to give more safer and easier travel options, and install new street lighting, road signage, drainage and landscaping.
The Clyde Road Upgrade will:
* Provide more reliable travel times along Clyde Road in the Berwick area
* Improve traffic flow and access to local facilities and streets
* Make it easier and safer to walk and cycle along Clyde Road
* Improve liveability in the area through better street lighting and landscaping
* Improve safety and reduce the risk of crashes with upgraded intersections and additional lanes.
The upgrade will be completed in two stages – utility relocation (February to early 2025) – and major works (late-2024 to late-2027).
This project works in unison with recent road and level crossing infrastructure upgrades throughout the south east to provide better connection to the Princes Freeway and surrounding suburbs via arterial roads.
