Bridge crossed

By Paul Dunlop
VICTORIA’S Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas had a frontrow seat to watch beams for a 200metre bridge installed over Cardinia Creek as part of the Pakenham Bypass.
Mr Pallas visited the bypass with project officials last week.
The installation of the beams marked a significant milestone in construction on the $242 million project.
Scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, the 20kilometre freeway will enable traffic to bypass seven sets of traffic lights allowing for smoother travel along the Princes Highway and provide a continuous freeway link between Beaconsfield and Nar Nar Goon.
Mr Pallas said the Pakenham Bypass was an exciting project.
“The CaseyCardinia corridor is one of the fastest growing in the state and increased demands are being placed on the existing arterial road network,” Mr Pallas said.
“For many years increased traffic has been generated by the residential development and the local community have had to cope with significant delays and congestion on the Princes Highway.
“The new bypass is tackling the problem by diverting throughtraffic away from business and residential areas. Once opened, it is expected to reduce travel times by up to 50 per cent between Beaconsfield and Nar Nar Goon.”
Mr Pallas said the Pakenham Bypass would provide an important link for residents and businesses in Melbourne’s burgeoning southeastern suburbs and southeast Victoria.
“This road will really assist in the growth and development of Pakenham and surrounding areas and is on target to be finished at the end of this year,” he said.
Project manager Charlie Broadhurst said construction works were about 60 per cent complete, with the majority of earthmoving works done.
“Pavement construction is advancing along the entire 20km length of the bypass, and works are progressing on 12 bridge structures that cross over various creeks, local roads and the Gippsland Rail Line,” he said.
Mr Pallas acknowledged the efforts of VicRoads and the contractor, FRH Group, for their work on the project construction.
The Pakenham Bypass has been declared a Road of National Importance and provides the final link in the Princes Freeway connection between Melbourne and Traralgon. The project is jointly funded by the State and Federal governments under AusLink, and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.