Work on the duplication of Aitken Boulevard between Marathon and Grand boulevards in Craigieburn is set to begin later this year.
Hume council committed $9.4 million to the project in its 2020-21 budget in a bid to reduce congestion.
In a statement, mayor Carly Moore said the project has been tendered and that council expects to award a contract in the first half of this year, with work scheduled to begin in mid-2022.
It comes as MAB Corporation, the developer of Mickleham’s Merrifield estate, announced it had started work on the extension of the road between Donnybrook and Mt Ridley roads.
The road is expected to be completed in mid-2023.
In a statement on Merrifield’s social media, the developer said the extension of Aitken Boulevard would provide Merrifield residents with a direct connection into the heart of Craigieburn within six minutes.
It anticipates the road will reduce congestion of the Hume Freeway and Mickleham Road.
“It’s important that Merrifield residents are easily connected nit just within their own community, but also to surrounding area and other local destinations,” MAB Corporation communities general manager Matthew Planner said.
Cr Moore said council was pleased that MAB Corporation had commenced works.
“Aitken Boulevard connects thousands of residents to and from their homes and work, shopping precincts, community centres, schools and public transport hubs,” Cr Moore said.
