Motorists in Melbourne’s north are getting a taste of how the Childs Road Upgrade is creating safer and less congested journeys, with the new bridge across Darebin Creek now open.
The bridge will cater for both eastbound and westbound traffic before the existing link is upgraded, dedicated to eastbound traffic.
The new 33-metre-long bridge connects Epping and Mill Park, providing an extra lane for motorists and a safer route for pedestrians and cyclists that links into the Darebin Creek Trail underneath.
Around 175 tonnes of steel reinforcement and just over 2,000 tonnes of concrete were used to form the base of the bridge. The base is supported by 7 massive bridge beams fabricated by Westkon Precast in Melton and installed in October last year.
Colac West manufacturer Otway Precast created 38 concrete road barriers to ensure the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
Already 11 local businesses have worked on the project to date, creating hundreds of hours of work on the project. These partners have provided supplies and supporting construction activities, such as
- plumbing
- tree services
- waste management services
- concreting and kerbing.
Over the coming months construction crews will upgrade the existing bridge on Childs Road and work on new eastbound lanes, just north of the existing carriageway.
Once complete Childs Road will be widened to 4 lanes - 2 lanes travelling in each direction between Beaumont Crescent and Prince of Wales Avenue. This will ease congestion for more than 25,000 drivers who use this road daily.
The Childs Road Upgrade is on track for completion in 2023. The project is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian governments.