Australia begins major road infrastructure upgrades

Significant road infrastructure projects have commenced in Australia to improve safety and traffic flow. In Victoria, a $21 million upgrade to the Western Freeway near Ballan has begun. The project focuses on a one-kilometre westbound section near Pykes Creek Reservoir to address an uphill alignment that currently forces heavy vehicles and motorists to reduce speed. The works will realign the Ballarat-bound carriageway with two wider lanes to support a consistent 110km/h speed limit, alongside new safety barriers and improved line marking. This project is funded by the Australian Government, the Victorian Government, and the Transport Accident Commission, with completion expected by mid-2027.

In New South Wales, construction has started on a $180 million upgrade to Heathcote Road to enhance connectivity between southern and western Sydney. The project will extend the existing westbound overtaking lane by 900 metres between the Heathcote Road Bridge and New Illawarra Road. This addition will create a continuous 2.5-kilometre passing section for westbound traffic, aiming to reduce delays caused by slower-moving vehicles on the route, which sees more than 28,000 vehicles daily. The construction is expected to take approximately two years.