By Laura Michell
Extra lanes, additional traffic lights and new U-turns will be added to Epping Road as part of upgrades between Craigieburn Road East and Memorial Avenue.
The revamp is part of the state government’s northern and south-eastern road upgrades package, under which $2.2 billion will be spent improving arterial roads in growth areas.
Craigieburn, Sunbury, Childs and Bridge Inn roads are also being upgraded.
Traffic lights will be installed at the Baltrum Drive and Park Street intersections, with extra lanes to be added between Craigieburn Road East and Memorial Avenue.
Public feedback on the proposed upgrade has resulted in the addition of a new U-turn between Taggerty Grove and Fletcher Street and the relocation of a proposed U-turn so it will be closer to Jordi Place to improve access to side streets and businesses.
Residents also requested more walking and cycling paths, along with on-road bicycle lanes between Lyndarum Drive and Memorial Avenue.
The government has called for interested companies to submit their plans for the project as part of a “request for proposal” as part of the $2.2 billion package.
Construction is expected to start in 2020 and will be finished by the end of 2025.
Thomastown MP Bronwyn Halfpenny said more than 27,000 motorists used Epping Road each day.
“Locals who rely on Epping Road every day know the frustration of sitting in traffic – and they’ve helped shape this long-awaited upgrade, which will make using their road easier and safer,” she said.
The ‘request for proposal’ comes as the federal government announced money for upgrades for Epping, Craigieburn, Childs, Sunbury and Bridge Inn roads as part of its budget.
The funding will come from a $1.1 billion suburban roads package.
