As part of the Pakenham Roads Upgrade, major improvements are underway to the Racecourse Road bridge over the Pakenham Creek, which will lower the risk of flooding and reduce impacts on local residents and the road network during major rainfall event.
As part of works to upgrade the capacity of Pakenham Creek, more than 50 U-shaped concrete units, called culverts – weighing up to 7 tonnes each – were craned in to upgrade the capacity of the creek under the road.
The upgrade has also involved reshaping Pakenham Creek so it can hold more stormwater flow within the banks, making it deeper and wider over an additional 700 metres.
Together, the reshaped creek and new culverts will ensure major flooding events over the roadway are minimised and will help keep more floodwater in the creek and away from properties and the local road network.
Once these works are completed, Racecourse Road will reopen to traffic in mid-December this year as the Pakenham Roads Upgrade makes another big step towards completion of major works in mid-2026.
Further south, crews are busy building the new southbound lanes of Racecourse Road and Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road between Henry Street and Peet Street, with direct access to businesses on Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road to reopen in early December.
The eastern side of Bald Hill Road is closed at Racecourse Road with crews focusing on major works to build new lanes and paths, and install traffic lights and medians which will form part of the upgraded intersection, to be opened in February 2026.
While these works are underway, you can support your local Pakenham traders and earn yourself a chance to win up to $1000, simply by shopping at 1 of the participating local traders and spending a minimum of $10. View Pakenham's open for business - spend and win competition.
Find out more about the Pakenham Roads Upgrade.