Western Port Highway (also known as Dandenong-Hastings Road) is the main link between the South Gippsland Freeway at Lynbrook in the north and Hastings in the south.
Population growth and development in the area is leading to an increase in local and through traffic. Planning to protect options for a future upgrade of the highway is required to ensure that the ongoing needs of the local community, commuters and transport operators will be met.
It is important to note that there are no construction activities planned in the short term. This is a planning exercise to protect future options.
VicRoads is undertaking a planning study along part of the Western Port Highway to identify a preferred option for upgrading the highway, including the location and form of interchanges and access roads, and the land that needs to be reserved in planning schemes.
The planning study takes in the area between the South Gippsland Freeway, Lynbrook and south of Cranbourne-Frankston Road, Cranbourne South.
The planning study is considering transport, land use, social, environmental, cultural heritage and economic issues.
A preferred option for the long term upgrade of the Western Port Highway has been developed and was presented to the community in November 2011. This option considers comments made by the community at earlier community information sessions, particularly in relation to local access.
The preferred option involves converting the highway to freeway conditions, with access ultimately restricted to interchanges at South Gippsland Highway (existing interchange), Glasscocks Road, Thompsons Road, Wedge Road (northerly ramps only) Hall Road and Cranbourne-Frankston Road. An overpass of Western Port Highway is proposed at Ballarto Road.
All other road and property access will ultimately be closed, including existing accesses at Monash Drive, Bayliss Road, Northey Road, Moreton Bay Boulevard, Carbine Way, Ballarto Road and Carrboyd Road. Local access roads are proposed adjacent to the Western Port Highway at selected locations to maintain access to properties.
The preferred option includes sufficient land to allow for a rail line to the Port of Hastings, if needed in the future.
In the coming months VicRoads will be consulting with stakeholders and finalising the planning study.
Planning Scheme Amendments to reserve the land required for the Western Port Highway upgrade are expected to be formally exhibited for public comment by late 2012.
Acquisition of land and construction of the freeway is expected to be staged over many years, subject to funding availability and in response to transport demands.
For further information about the planning study:
Write: Western Port Highway Planning Study Private Bag 4, Mount Waverley VIC 3149
Email: mseprojects@roads.vic.gov.au
Phone: 03 9881 8095