The Calder Highway is being progressively upgraded as a high-standard four lane freeway route between Melbourne and Bendigo. Major improvements completed in recent years include bypasses of Kyneton and Woodend.

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

The final 19 km freeway section from Elphinstone to Ravenswood South will open in early to mid 2009.

The Calder Freeway upgrade between Kyneton and Ravenswood is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments at an estimated cost of $404 million.


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


Features
Features of the new freeway include:

• Two lanes each way with emergency lanes and Help Phones linked to VicRoads Traffic Management Centre
• Bypasses of Malmsbury, Taradale, Elphinstone, Faraday and Harcourt
• Freeway 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
• Traffic noise protection with noise fencing, landscape mounds and noise reducing road surfaces 
• Extensive landscaping with approximately 2 million native trees, shrubs and grasses planted 

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 tourists
• Improved access to Melbourne and Bendigo for commuters, business and tourist traffic
• Reduced vehicle running costs, particularly for commercial traffic
• Enhanced environment conditions with the extensive planting of native trees and grasses

Progress

The Kyneton North and Ravenswood stages opened in 2005. A 15 km section of the Malmsbury stage opened in April 2008. Three remaining stages are currently under construction: 


Malmsbury Stage
The 21.2 km freeway section diverts north-east from the Calder Highway near Malmsbury with the first 15 km opening 11 months ahead of schedule, and bypassing Malmsbury, Taradale and Elphinstone. 

Access to and from Malmsbury is provided by an interchange at Malmsbury East Road. A temporary connection is in place from the freeway interchange near Elphinstone linking to the Pyrenees and Calder Highways. The Malmsbury section overpasses Spring Creek, Metcalfe-Taradale Road and the Coliban River.

The remaining 6 km will open concurrently with the Harcourt South Stage.

Fulton Hogan Pty Ltd are VicRoads contractors for the Malmsbury 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 will overpass the Calder Highway at Faraday, Blackjack Road, and Forest Creek, and go under Coolstore Road and the Melbourne-Bendigo rail line.

As at July 2008, major earthworks and bridgeworks are continuing, along with landscaping and environmental works. Laying of the crushed rock road pavement has commenced. Subject to weather conditions and works progress, the Harcourt South section will open in early to mid 2009.

Winslow Constructors Pty Ltd are VicRoads contractors for the Harcourt South stage

Harcourt North Stage
This 6.3 km section extends from the Midland Highway at Harcourt, connecting with the Calder Freeway at Ravenswood South, near Fogartys Gap Road. The freeway will overpass Gaaschs Road.

As at July 2008, major earthworks and bridges at Barkers Creek and Gaaschs Road are complete with road pavement construction well underway. Landscaping and environmental works are continuing. Melbourne-bound traffic was diverted onto a short length of the new freeway in the vicinity of Fogartys Gap Road in late May.

The Harcourt North section is expected to open by early to mid 2009 in conjunction with adjacent sections.

Theiss Pty Ltd are VicRoads contractors for the Harcourt North 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 the 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.

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Involving the Community
VicRoads promotes the involvement of communities and stakeholders to provide constructive advice and to ensure open communication is maintained.

Community Liaison Groups (CLG) have been established for the Calder Freeway project and include representatives from the local community, Councils and relevant government agencies. The CLGs meet regularly with VicRoads to provide advice and feedback.

To raise a matter for discussion please contact VicRoads - Calder Project or your Community Liaison Group Representative [PDF, 33KB 1pp]

Phone:     VicRoads (03) 5422 0799
Visit:        Calder Projects Office: 2 Beauchamp Street, Kyneton 
Write to:   The Project Director, VicRoads Calder Corridor Projects, PO Box 282, Kyneton Vic 3444 
Email:       calder@roads.vic.gov.au  

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