Cardinia Shire Council welcomes the Australian Government's decision to continue to fund stages 2 and 3 of the Pakenham Roads Upgrade project.
The Pakenham Roads Upgrade project is being delivered in 3 stages:
- Princes Freeway Interchanges Upgrade - Stage 1
- McGregor Road Upgrade - Stage 2
- Racecourse Road Upgrade - Stage 3
These major upgrades may include extra lanes, improved intersections, better bus connections, walking and cycling paths, new traffic lights, wider roads, and freeway ramps.
The Pakenham Roads Upgrade will deliver vital transport infrastructure improvements with wide-reaching liveability and safety benefits for Cardinia Shire residents, as well as for those travelling into the region for employment opportunities.
Cardinia Shire Council Mayor Councillor Jack Kowarzik said "Council is pleased that the Australian Government has heard our calls and has committed to funding the Pakenham Roads Upgrade project in its entirety.
"We would also like to acknowledge the Victorian Government for delivering this vital project for our community.
"As more people continue to move into our municipality, in particular the Pakenham area, we need to ensure that we are investing in our road and infrastructure network and that it's being maintained and upgraded to meet the needs of our rapidly growing population," the Mayor said.
When delivered in their entirety, these upgrades will:
- improve safety
- reduce bottlenecks
- improve traffic flow and liveability of the Pakenham community
- provide more walking and cycling options
- provide better connections to and from the Princes Freeway reducing travel times
- provide improved access to the future Pakenham Community Hospital, the Pakenham Train Station and the Pakenham town centre
- provide a main thoroughfare for the Pakenham East PSP which will house 23,000 residents.
The Stage 1 upgrade to the Princes Freeway interchanges is already underway and is expected to be completed by 2025.
For updates on this project please visit Pakenham Roads Upgrade - Victoria's Big Build at www.bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/roads/pakenham-roads-upgrade
