About the M80 Upgrade
How will road works impact drivers?
How will road works impact residents?
Environment
Road Safety
National Code Compliance
What is the M80 Ring Road Upgrade?
‘M80’ is the route number for the 38 Kilometre Western and Metropolitan Ring Roads that travel from the Princes Freeway in Laverton North to the Greensborough Highway, in Greensborough.
The M80 Ring Road Upgrade is a project dedicated to making improvements to the M80 Ring Road.
What is the project cost and timeframe?
The M80 Ring Road Upgrade is a $2.25 billion project jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian governments. The Australian Government has committed $900 million under the Nation Building Program.
The upgrade is being completed in sections, with the most congested sections and those with the worst safety record being worked on first. Works started in December 2009 and are scheduled to take more than five years to complete.
Current works between:
- Calder Freeway and Sydney Road are expected to be completed by end 2012
- Western Highway and Sunshine Avenue are expected to be completed by mid 2013
- Edgars Road and Plenty Road are expected to be completed by mid 2014.
Planning works are currently underway for all other sections along the 38 km corridor. Please see the interactive map for more detail on the breakdown of sections for construction works.
Due to the large number of people that use the M80 Ring Road everyday, during construction we are committed to keeping the same number of lanes open during peak times to reduce the inconvenience our roadworks have on drivers and the community.
This limits the amount of work we can do at one time, as we have to plan all works to happen behind barriers while live traffic is on the freeway and we need to consider the safety of our workers and drivers. The work that has to be done is also very complex and we are working with a huge 38 kilometers within a narrow road reserve.
While we plan major construction activities that require us to reduce the number of lanes on the freeway to happen at night, we also need to consider the impact this has on local residents.
If we shut down the entire freeway we could certainly upgrade it much more quickly, but we are doing our best to balance everyone’s needs and this takes a little longer.
- More lanes to make three in each direction and up to six lanes in some areas
- Dedicated exit lanes between some interchanges to improve safety by reducing merging and weaving traffic
- Overhead electronic signs to communicate speed limits and lane availability
- Electronic on-road message boards
- Traffic lights on entry ramps to create safer merging and reduce congestion
- Planting and feature walls to create a new look and feel for the road.
How will changes be communicated?
Changes to traffic conditions will be communicated to drivers in advance via:
- on-road signs
- radio announcements
- email traffic alerts
- website
- Twitter
- advertising in local and metropolitan newspapers
- community information number: 1300 297 090.
During construction, we encourage drivers to plan their trip in advance via the M80 Ring Road Upgrade Major closures and detours page and VicRoads Latest Travel and Road Conditions, which provides real-time live traffic information.
The project also distributes a bi-monthly electronic newsletter to keep the community up-to-date on construction progress. Click here to subscribe.
Yes. We make it a priority to ensure these messages are up-to-date with the latest roadworks information. However, they do not display all roadworks that are occurring on the M80 Ring Road at any one time and drivers should still visit the Major closures and detours page regularly or call us on 1300 297 090 for more information.
Sometimes planned roadworks change at the last minute due to weather conditions or technical difficulties and we do our best to update the messages boards as soon as possible. If you do notice a change to a message and are unsure, please check the website or contact us.
Will the traffic flow and speed limits be maintained during road works?
We aim to maintain the same number of lanes on the M80 Ring Road during peak periods as there was before construction started.
The speed limit is reduced to ensure the safety of drivers as lanes may be narrower, the placement of concrete safety barriers reduces visibility and emergency lanes and shoulders have been removed.
Lower speeds also help to reduce the danger to our workers behind the barriers by minimising the amount of stones and debris that fly into the construction zone.
The concrete safety barriers are designed to withstand a certain amount of force from an impact. As the speed a vehicle travels affects how quickly it can stop, reduced speeds help to reduce the impact of crashes on these barriers, protecting both workers and drivers.
Drivers must obey the speed limit and be alert to on road message boards.
Why is the speed limit reduced between Sunshine Avenue and Calder Freeway?
The speed limit has been reduced to 80km/h between Sunshine Avenue and Calder Freeway to reduce the stop-start traffic affect that can occur when the speed limit jumps up and down over relatively short distances. By maintaining a consistent speed limit we can better manage 'bottlenecks' and unnecessary braking to enable a safer and smoother journey across the M80 Ring Road.
Why are there traffic lights on some entry ramps to the M80 Ring Road?
Traffic lights on ramps help to control the flow of traffic entering the freeway. The lights turn on when the freeway is really busy, generally during peak times. Controlling the amount of cars entering the freeway means drivers already on the freeway don’t have to brake or change lanes as much to let people in.
This makes it safer and easier to get on the freeway as it limits the number of cars trying to merge at one time. As the M80 Ring Road is being upgraded in stages, the traffic lights will be gradually turned on as works on each ramp is complete or to assist in controlling traffic during construction works, to make it safer for drivers to merge onto the freeway in busy areas.
Can I still get to the airport?
Yes, our priority is to maintain existing traffic flows and access for emergency vehicles. However, roadwork speed limits will apply in areas during construction and we sometimes have to close lanes or entry and exit ramps during the night to complete major works. We encourage drivers to plan their travel in advance, check for the latest roadworks on the planned travel dates and become familiar with any detours that may be in place during that time.
To get information on the current expected traffic times, planned and unplanned works, refer to the VicRoads Latest Travel and Road Conditions site and the M80 Ring Road Upgrade Major closures and detours page
The first thing to remember is never get out of your vehicle on a freeway.
Pull over in a safe place and contact the VicRoads Traffic Management Centre on 13 11 70 (this number is also on your registration sticker). They will arrange an Incident Response Vehicle to attend the site, if required, to ensure your safety. Alternatively, they can put you in touch with a tow truck company if you are not in the path of live traffic.
If you believe your vehicle was damaged due to construction activities, please contact the M80 Ring Road Upgrade team on 1300 297 090 as soon as possible. Remember to have as many details as possible. If you believe damage was caused from another vehicle eg. vehicle debris or tyre tread, please contact the VicRoads call centre 13 11 71.
For any debris that is considered an immediate road hazard, please notify the Traffic Management Centre on 13 11 70.
Will residents be notified of works?
We are committed to keeping residents informed of planned works that may impact them well in advance and all works are planned to minimise disruption. Residents can also contact the M80 Ring Road Upgrade team on 1300 297 090 or email m80upgrade@roads.vic.gov.au.
What are the working hours?
Working hours are between 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday, 7am to 3pm Saturday and 9am to 3pm Sunday, with some night works between 8pm and 5am where necessary.
What noise level applies to the M80 Ring Road Upgrade?
As this is not a new road, a noise standard of 68 decibels applies in line with the VicRoads policy.
Will noise barriers or walls be included as part of the works?
VicRoads has done noise monitoring studies and these indicate that in the section's currently under construction (Western Highway to Sunshine Avenue and Calder Freeway to Sydney Road) there are no areas where noise is above 68 dbA. Initial noise modelling also indicates that once the upgrade is complete no areas in these sections will be above 68 dbA. Further noise monitoring will be done six months after construction is complete to check the modelling is correct.
All noise walls will be reviewed in accordance with the VicRoads Traffic Noise Reduction Policy 2005 [PDF, 33KB].
Was land reserved when the original freeway was constructed?
When the M80 Ring Road was originally constructed, land was set aside within the freeway reservation for a future upgrade. The majority of the upgrade is expected to be within this existing reservation and therefore minimal land acquisition is expected. Detailed planning activities are being undertaken to confirm this.
Should land acquisition be required, landowners will be notified in a timely manner and in accordance with statutory requirements.
How will dust be managed from road construction?
Dust resulting from road construction will be managed using dust suppressants.
Some construction activities mean that we need to temporarily close SUPs or put in detour routes. These changes are communicated by signage on the paths and on our website under the bicycle and walking path page. You can also contact us to find out any changes.
Will VicRoads use drinking quality water?
VicRoads and our project partners will minimise the use of drinking-quality (potable) water by using recycled water and dust suppressants wherever possible.
Will an urban design strategy be developed as part of the M80 Ring Road Upgrade?
Parks, wetlands and increased open space were created as part of the original M80 Ring Road and will be maintained and improved as part of the M80 Ring Road Upgrade. The landscape and urban design strategy has been developed to upgrade existing facilities, improve the look and feel of the road, to create consistency and contribute visually for drivers and the community.
During planning and delivery of the M80 Ring Road Upgrade works, we will develop initiatives to minimise environmental impacts and enhance the local environment in line with VicRoads environment sustainability strategies.
Some initiatives being investigated include:
- carbon management: measuring greenhouse gas emissions resulting from construction, demolition and office based activities
- Use of recycled water: using non-potable water for construction activities wherever possible
- Harvesting stormwater and construction run-off on site to contain stormwater for re-use
- Reusing and recycling materials where possible
- Investigating opportunities to incorporate sustainable lighting initiatives
- 'E-Crete': replacing traditional concrete for an environmentally friendly concrete
- Upgraded bike / pedestrian paths.
How many accidents/fatalities have there been along the M80 Ring Road?
There have been 13 fatal accidents and 715 casualty crashes along the M80 Ring Road in the five years between 2006 and 2010.
These crashes predominately occur where:
- unexpected congestion means traffic suddenly slows down, and stop-start conditions result in rear end crashes
- lanes merge or split resulting in side swipe crashes.
How will the upgrade improve road safety?
The M80 Ring Road Upgrade includes adding new lanes, including destination specific lanes where drivers will need to pick their destination early as concrete barriers will separate lanes to guide vehicles to their exit, helping to reduce dangerous merging and weaving.
A new bridge is being built over Moonee Ponds Creek, reducing the climb of the hill in the Greensborough bound direction, which will improve traffic flow and reduce rear end crashes resulting from vehicles unexpectedly slowing down to get up the hill.
Some interchanges are also being improved to create smoother and safer entry and exit and reduce dangerous merging.
An electronic Freeway Management System will be installed to manage traffic flow, including traffic lights on entry ramps, overhead signs to communicate speed limits and lane availability and on-road message boards. This will allow the traffic to flow more freely, which will decrease the number of crashes.
As part of the upgrade, freeway ramp signals will be installed on some sections of the M80 Ring Road, which will form part of the freeway management system being introduced to improve traffic flow.
The freeway ramp signals system uses traffic lights and a sign stating ‘one vehicle per green each lane’ to manage the rate at which vehicles are allowed to join freeway traffic. The traffic lights operate during peak hours or when freeway conditions are heavy.
The system enables ramps to ‘talk’ to each other to balance the number of cars entering the freeway at any one time and maintain a steady flow of traffic on the freeway.
Freeway ramp signals have now been installed at the following locations:
Altona bound:
- Boundary Road
- Fitzgerald Road
- Western Highway
- Furlong Road
- Sunshine Avenue.
Greensborough bound:
- Western Highway
- Furlong Road
The M80 Ring Road Upgrade is investigating other locations for the installation of ramp signals.
Will there be more permanent speed cameras?
Speed cameras are installed and maintained by Department of Justice and enquiries about this matter should be directed to them.
The safety of our workers and all road users is of absolute importance. Upgrading major freeways, such as the M80 Ring Road, which carries large volumes of traffic, is very complex and involves workers doing work while the freeway is open and the traffic is flowing.
To make sure there are safe conditions for drivers as well as a safe working environment for workers, concrete barriers and protective screens are installed and the speed limit is reduced.
VicRoads works with Department of Justice, Victoria Police and VicRoads Transport Safety Services (TSS) to enforce the roadwork speed limits on worksites throughout Victoria, including the M80 Ring Road Upgrade.
The reduced roadwork speed limit continues to apply when workers are not on site because of the changed traffic conditions for drivers such as reduced space to concrete barriers, reduced sight distances and no shoulders or emergency stopping lanes.
What is the National Code Compliance?
The National Code of Practice for the Construction Industry (the Code) and the Australian Government Industry Guidelines for the National Code of Practice for the Construction Industry 2006 (the Guidelines), require organisations to ensure the workplace relations arrangements of potential subcontractors and suppliers, in respect of their construction activities, comply with the Code and the Guidelines. Guidelines are available for download from www.abcc.gov.au
There is a requirement for all subcontractors on projects tendered under the Code of Practice to have Code compliant industrial instruments. Applicants require their agreement to be assessed by the Department of Workplace Relations (DEWR) for National Code compliance.