- More lanes to make at least three in each direction and up to six lanes between some interchanges
- 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.
A safer road
More lanes
Less congestion
More consistent travel times.
The M80 Ring Road carries up to 142,000 vehicles per day, including more than 22,000 trucks. The freeway exceeds its capacity in peak periods, causing traffic disruption and delays along the entire route. The M80 Ring Road Upgrade will add more lanes and will install electronic systems to manage traffic flow across the entire route, leading to more consistent travel times and a safer journey.
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 mainly occur at freeway merges where existing traffic lanes increase or decrease. The M80 Ring Road Upgrade will improve safety for drivers and local communities by adding lanes between some interchanges reducing merging movements by traffic entering and exiting the freeway.
The M80 Ring Road Upgrade started in December 2009 and is expected to take more than five years to complete. The upgrade will be delivered in stages to minimise impact to drivers and the community.
For more information on the sections currently under construction and timeframes for completion please see our Frequently Asked Questions or the Interactive map.
The M80 Ring Road Upgrade is a vital Victorian transport project and is funded as part of the Australian Government's Nation Building Program.
M80 Upgrade Factsheet [PDF, 2447KB]
M80 Upgrade Factsheet [Word version]