Motorists in Melbourne’s north are now able to take advantage of the new Childs Road Bridge opening running across Darebin Creek.
The bridge will cater for eastbound and westbound traffic before the existing link is upgraded explicitly for eastbound traffic.
Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio was joined by the Member for Thomastown Bronwyn Halfpenny and year 12 student leaders from Lalor North Secondary College to mark the halfway point of the Childs Road Upgrade at the new bridge’s opening.
“These upgrades are working together to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow on Childs Road – making it easier for many locals to get to work and access essential services,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
The 33-metre-long bridge connects Epping and Mill Park, providing an extra lane for drivers and a safer route for pedestrians and cyclists.
The initiative was supported by 11 local businesses, creating hundreds of hours of work.
Ms Halfpenny said she personally understands the anger of motorists.
“As a regular user of Childs Road, I know how frustrating this vital east-west connection can be,” she said.
More construction is expected to be done on the existing Childs Road bridge and on the new eastbound lanes.
Once the Childs Road Upgrade is complete it will be widened to four lanes- two lanes traveling in each direction between Beaumont Crescent and Prince of Wales Avenue.
Major Road Projects Victoria Project Director Dipal Sorathia said: “The extra traffic lane means more than 25,000 motorists crossing Darebin Creek every day are another step closer towards a safer and faster journey.”
The project is on track to be completed by 2023.
