Michaela Meade
Drivers in the northern suburbs now have easier access to the Hume Freeway following the opening of a long-awaited freeway interchange at O’Herns Road in Epping.
The diamond interchange opened this morning, alongside a new lane in each direction on O’Herns Road between the Hume Freeway and Manor House Drive, and a new lane in each direction on the Hume Freeway between Cooper Street and O’Herns Road.
Traffic lights have been installed at Edgars Road, Gateway Boulevard and Koukoura Drive, and the bridge over the Hume Freeway has been widened to help improve traffic flow to the new interchange.
Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said the completion of stage two of the O’Herns Road upgrade would provide better connections for the community.
“This area of Melbourne is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country and this upgrade will help people to get home safer and sooner and create opportunities for businesses right across the region,” Ms Allan said.
“It’s a huge win for the local community who’ll spend less time stuck in traffic and more time with friends and family doing the things they love.”
Thomastown MP Bronwyn Halfpenny said the upgrade would “transform” the way people travel across the north.
“This upgrade will provide a quicker, safer and more efficient journey for the 30,000 vehicles who travel along this section of O’Herns Road each day,” she said.
Minor finishing works on O’Herns Road will continue until later this year.
The project was jointly funded, with the federal government committing $50 million and the state government committing $105 million.
