Taking to the skies, the Clyde Road Upgrade has begun lifting bridge beams as crews have commenced the biggest phase of construction on the project.
Works began recently with the first of the 48-tonne, 74-metre-long beams being lifted into place as crews expand the overpass from 6 lanes to 10 lanes.
“These massive bridge beams are an incredibly complex engineering feat, bringing us one step closer to a safer and more reliable journey for our community along Clyde Road,” Federal Bruce MP Julian Hill said.
“This work is essential to widening the bridge to ten lanes, significantly reducing bottlenecks and making travel easier for thousands of motorists in Melbourne’s south-east every single day.”
Works are set to continue over the coming months to upgrade and widen the Princes Freeway overpass in Berwick, with construction carefully sequenced to minimise disruption to drivers and keep traffic moving where possible. The project is on track for completion in 2027
Throughout February and March, crews will install the beams and concrete panels – weighing up to 3 tonnes each. Concrete will then be poured over the panels to form the foundation of the new lanes.
There will be nightly closures of the Princes Freeway to accommodate these works.
The Princes Freeway will be closed in both directions at Clyde Road between 8pm to 5am each weeknight until 27 March.
While drivers will be able to use the freeway ramps to travel through the closure, there will be delays through the area. Alternative detours will be in place via the Princes Highway and O’Shea Road to drive around the disruptions.
The new, wider overpass will include additional turning lanes onto the Princes Freeway ramps, as well as bus lanes to enable public transport to move quickly across the bridge throughout the day.
“By easing bottlenecks and expanding this bridge to ten lanes, we’re delivering safer, smoother trips for local families and making daily travel more reliable and less stressful.” State Member of South-Eastern Metropolitan Region Michael Galea said.
The beams are locally manufactured in Corio, further supporting local jobs and manufacturing throughout the Victorian Big Build.
The overpass’s new 5.6 metre centre median wall also features low-carbon steel that uses up to 39% lower-embodied carbon, while also utilising reduced material use and strong circular economy credentials.
VIDA Roads and project contractor Seymour Whyte are utilising the lower-carbon steel in the bridge supports as part of several initiatives to boost sustainability outcomes on the project.
Works continue elsewhere, such as the improvement of the intersection of Berwick-Cranbourne and Thompson roads in Clyde North, as well as the upgrade to Racecourse Road in Pakenham.
For further information on the Clyde Road Upgrade, please visit the Big Build website: bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/roads/clyde-road-upgrade
