The Calder Highway has been progressively upgraded as a high-standard four lane freeway route between Melbourne and Bendigo.

Construction of the final 43km from Kyneton to Ravenswood commenced in 2005. New sections were completed and opened in stages including highway duplication north of Kyneton and at Ravenswood and new freeway lanes bypassing Malmsbury, Taradale and Elphinstone.

The final 19 km section between Elphinstone and Harcourt North opened on Monday, 20 April 2009, completing the Calder Freeway route between Melbourne and Bendigo.

The Calder Freeway upgrade was jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments at a cost of $404 million.

View Project maps:
Calder Highway Harcourt Section [PDF, 145KB]
Calder Highway Malmsbury Section [PDF, 109KB]

Features
The new freeway includes:

• two lanes each way with emergency lanes and Help Phones linked to VicRoads Traffic Management Centre
• bypasses of Malmsbury, Taradale, Elphinstone, Faraday and Harcourt
• interchanges with direct access at Malmsbury, Elphinstone and Harcourt
• local road underpasses and connections to provide property access and links with the local road network
• wildlife underpasses and fences to protect koalas, kangaroos and other native fauna
• noise fencing, landscape mounds and noise-reducing road surfaces
• extensive landscaping with approximately 2 million native trees, shrubs and grasses

Benefits

•  safer driving conditions for freeway users with reduced travel times
• removal of trucks and through traffic from towns providing a safer and more pleasant environment for local people and visitors
• improved access to Melbourne and Bendigo for commuters, business and tourist traffic
• reduced vehicle running costs, particularly for commercial traffic

Progress
The final 19km section from Elphinstone to Harcourt North opened on Monday 20 April 2009.

Malmsbury Stage
The 21.2 km Malmsbury stage diverts north-east from the Calder Highway near Malmsbury.

Access to and from Malmsbury is provided by an interchange at Malmsbury East Road. The Malmsbury section overpasses Spring Creek, Metcalfe-Taradale Road, the Coliban River and Calder Highway at Faraday.

Fulton Hogan Pty Ltd was VicRoads contractor for this stage.

Harcourt South Stage
This 6.6 km section extends north of Faraday to the Midland Highway near Harcourt, and includes direct freeway access at the Midland Highway. The freeway overpasses Forest Creek and Blackjack Road, and passes beneath Coolstore Road, the Melbourne-Bendigo rail line and the Midland Highway at Harcourt.

Winslow Constructors Pty Ltd was VicRoads contractor for this stage.

Harcourt North Stage
This 6.3 km section extends from the Midland Highway at Harcourt and links with the existing Calder Freeway at Harcourt North, near Fogartys Gap Road. The freeway overpasses Gaaschs Road.

Theiss Pty Ltd was VicRoads contractor for this stage.

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Managing the Environment
VicRoads is committed to protecting and enhancing the natural environment and considering cultural heritage through responsible planning and management of works including:

• Preparing Environmental Effects Statements (EESs) with detailed investigations of route options and their potential impacts on the local environment.
• Developing Project Environmental Protection Strategies (PEPS) and requiring contractors to implement Environmental Management Plans to protect the natural environment during construction
• Monitoring dust, noise and water quality prior to, during, and after construction
• Protecting water catchment areas from site runoff and potential contamination during and after construction
• Replanting roadside areas using locally collected seeds to grow native trees, shrubs and grasses
• Relocating vulnerable native orchids from works areas with the assistance of the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Australian Native Orchid Society.
• Installing wildlife underpasses and fences at key locations to minimise the risk of accidents involving native animals
• Developing a landscape design which retains and enhances panoramic views
• Working with relevant authorities, stakeholders and indigenous groups to identify, protect and monitor works at sites of cultural significance and where necessary, to obtain work permits.

Involving the Community
VicRoads promotes the involvement of communities and stakeholders to provide constructive advice and to ensure open communication is maintained. A Community Liaison Group (CLG) was established for the Calder Freeway project and included local community representatives, Councils and relevant government agencies.

More Information

Phone: VicRoads (03) 5434 5000 
Write to: The Regional Director, Northern Victoria, VicRoads, 57 Lansell St Bendigo 3550
Email: mailbox@roads.vic.gov.au

Out of business hours, please call the VicRoads Traffic Management Centre on 13 11 70

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