Overview
We’re upgrading Yan Yean Road between Kurrak Road and Bridge Inn Road, making it safer for more than 24,000 drivers who use this road every day. The upgrade will build on benefits provided by Yan Yean Road Upgrade - Stage 1 to improve safety and traffic flow through Plenty, Yarrambat and Doreen.
Yan Yean Road Upgrade – Stage 2 will:
- build a new lane in each direction between Kurrak and Bridge Inn roads
- replace the roundabouts at Orchard and Bridge Inn roads with upgraded intersections, which will include new traffic lights
- upgrade intersections with new traffic lights at North Oatlands Road, Bannons Lane, Jorgensen Avenue and Activity Way
- build new roundabouts at Heard Avenue and Youngs Road that will be suitable for heavy vehicle U-turns
- upgrade the signalised intersection at Ironbark Road
- install new signalised pedestrian crossings south of Worns Lane and north of Youngs Road
- build a new traffic light intersection at the entrance of Yarrambat Park
- build new walking and cycling paths along both sides of Yan Yean Road.
The upgrade will improve safety and traffic flow, create more consistent and reliable journeys and make it easier and safer for you to walk and cycle around your local area.
Project map
Construction approach
We’re building the upgrade in sections, starting at the northern end first with the intersection of Bridge Inn, Yan Yean and Doctors Gully roads.. We are working with Decmil as our delivery partner for this section of the project. By starting this section first, we’ll be able to build on the benefits delivered by the recent Bridge Inn Road Upgrade sooner .
We’re building the new intersection to the northeast of its current location, while the existing intersection continues to operate with minimal traffic disruption.
View the reference design for the intersection.
View the artist’s impressions for the northern section of the project.
For the southern section, we’ve working with McConnell Dowell as our preferred delivery partner. Major works between Orchard Road and Kurrak Road will start behind barriers in mid-2026. During recent night works we installed safety barriers and fixed potholes in the road surface so that we can safely build the new lanes while maintaining 2 directions of travel on the existing road.
Travelling on the upgraded road
Once the upgrade is complete, most local roads and properties along Yan Yean Road will have left turn access in and out of Yan Yean Road.
This will greatly improve traffic flow and safety by preventing drivers from attempting risky uncontrolled right turns and directing traffic to designated locations to turn right or U-turn.
Safe right turn and U-turn opportunities will be provided at each of the upgraded intersections along Yan Yean Road.
Some drivers might find they need to travel slightly further to get where they need to go. Although this may mean your trip is a little longer, your overall journey on the upgraded road will be safer and more reliable.
See more details on access changes as a part of the safety improvements.
Planning and development
Big Build Roads has appointed an Independent Environmental Auditor (IEA) to play a pivotal role in the successful delivery of the Yan Yean Road Upgrade Stage 2 project. The IEA provides independent assurance that the project is being delivered in accordance with the project’s Environmental Management Framework (PDF, 2.5 MB).
Yan Yean Road Upgrade – Stage 2 went through an Environment Effects Statement (EES) process in 2020. The Inquiry and Advisory Committee (IAC), appointed by the Minister for Planning to assess the EES, prepared a detailed report and made a recommendation to the Minister for Planning in February 2021.
In March 2021, the Minister for Planning released their Assessment following the exhibition of the EES and concluded that the upgrade could proceed with some recommended updates to the Environmental Management Framework (EMF) and Environmental Performance Requirements (EPRs).
In 2021, the project obtained the following planning and environment approvals required to upgrade Yan Yean Road:
- April 2021 - Assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC). The EPBC Act enables the Australian Government to join with the states and territories to provide a national scheme of environment and heritage protection and biodiversity conservation. The EPBC Act focuses Australian Government interests on the protection of matters of national environmental significance, with the states and territories having responsibility for matters of state and local significance.
- August 2021 - Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA), which establishes a framework to manage environmental effects associated with the road upgrade through an Incorporated Document. The draft PSA was exhibited during the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) process. When the PSA was approved, the Public Acquisition Overlay (PAO) was also approved.
- December 2021 – A Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP), which assesses the potential impact to Aboriginal cultural heritage and how that heritage can be best protected, was approved by Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.
The Environmental Management Framework (EMF) and Environmental Performance Requirements (EPRs) have been approved. These are in line with the outcomes of the Minister’s Assessment of the project’s Environment Effects Statement.
The EMF provides a framework to effectively manage environmental impacts associated with the road upgrade.
The EPRs set the standards for the upgrade and are put in place to avoid or minimise any adverse local effects on people and environment.
View the Environment page to find out more.