The Big Build has hit its first major milestone on the Epping Road Upgrade for 2024, with the completion of critical improvements to a key intersection at Wollert.
The upgraded Baltrum Drive intersection will play a huge part in achieving the project’s aim of safer, more-reliable travel on Epping Road.
Baltrum Drive reopened at Epping Road on Wednesday 28 February after closing in January so crews could safely complete major civil works to deliver the intersection improvements.
During the seven-week closure, the Epping Road Upgrade team upgraded lanes, kerbs and medians, and installed new traffic lights, street lighting and sections of shared walking and cycling paths.
While delivering the improvements, crews removed 2809 tonnes of materials and laid 907 tonnes of asphalt – a combined weight equivalent to 60 E-class trams.
Baltrum Drive was the first of six intersections that will be improved as part of the Epping Road Upgrade. The five remaining intersections are located at Hayston Boulevard, Park Street, Harvest Home Road, Pine Park Drive and Lehmanns Road.
Once the Epping Road southbound lanes are complete in late 2024, traffic will move onto the new lanes and crews will continue upgrading the northbound lanes and five major intersections on the west side of Epping Road.
Crews are also continuing critical works to relocate and protect essential services as part of the project.
Along with the intersection improvements and essential services works, the Epping Road Upgrade is adding extra lanes between Craigieburn Road East in Wollert and Memorial Avenue in Epping.
The project will also build sections of shared walking and cycling paths and new on-road bicycle lanes to improve safety and connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists.
Due for completion in 2025, the upgrade will provide safer, more-reliable journeys for the 35,000 drivers who use Epping Road daily in Melbourne’s north.
Major Road Projects Victoria and construction partner McConnell Dowell are delivering the project.
More information about the Epping Road Upgrade, including its intersection works and traffic changes, is available on our Epping Road Upgrade page.