The Deer Park Bypass is a new freeway link extending 9.3 km from the Western Ring Road at Sunshine West to the Western Highway at Caroline Springs. It opened to traffic on Sunday April 5, 2009.
The Bypass allows traffic to and from the Ring Road to travel at freeway speeds, avoiding 20 intersections and many traffic signals compared with the old Western Highway route.
A 9km cycling and walking path known as the Wellness Trail runs adjacent to the Bypass. The Trail includes rest stops featuring mosaic artworks created by adult mental health patients at Sunshine Hospital.
In association with the Deer Park Bypass works, the Western Freeway/Leakes Road intersection at Rockbank was eliminated with a new freeway interchange opening in August 2008.
The $331 million project was jointly funded by the Victorian and Australian Governments.
Deer Park Bypass [PDF, 400KB] project map.
Wellness Trail route map [PDF 540KB]
Leakes Road Interchange [PDF, 183KB] project map.
- Two lanes in each direction, with provision for an additional lane each way in the future when needed
- Freeway interchanges with direct access at the Western Highway, Christies Road, Robinsons Road and at the Western Ring Road
- Overpasses of the Melbourne-Ballarat railway line and Riding Boundary Road, Ravenhall
- A bridge to take Mt Derrimut Road over the Bypass
- Noise walls at some locations to help reduce traffic noise impacts on nearby residential areas
- Wellness Trail shared path adjacent to the Bypass route for pedestrians and cyclists
The Deer Park Bypass benefits the local community, motorists, the road freight industry and its customers with motorists avoiding delays on the Western Highway, reducing travel times and transport costs, as well as improving road safety. Urban amenity within Deer Park is enhanced with reduced conflict between local and through traffic.
Traffic noise impacts have also been reduced for adjacent residential areas along the Western Highway.
The Bypass provides better and more direct access from the Western Freeway to the Western Ring Road and to Melbourne’s ports.
Other benefits include improvements to the environment through reduced emissions from vehicles idling at intersections, and increased regional economic growth through improved freight efficiency and freight and logistics.
Roadworks are now complete with the Bypass fully open to traffic.
Akron Roads Pty Ltd was VicRoads contractor for works at this location. Construction commenced in August 2006 with traffic switched onto the new Western Highway bridge in December 2007.
Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd was VicRoads contractor for works between the Western Highway interchange at Caroline Springs and the Western Ring Road at Sunshine West. VicRoads and Leightons Contractors established a 'One Team' collaborative working relationship to deliver this major contract.
Construction commenced in February 2007 with the project opening on Sunday 5 April 2009, eight months ahead of schedule.
Cut & Fill Pty Ltd was VicRoads contractor for the Leakes Road interchange. Construction commenced in August 2007 with the new bridge and interchange ramps opening in August 2008.
A Project Environmental Protection Strategy (PEPS) was developed to help manage environmental impacts during and after construction. This Strategy also identified environmental enhancements as part of the project. Environmental Management Plans have also been implemented to minimise and avoid impacts during construction.
Initiatives are in place to protect flora and fauna in the vicinity of the Bypass including the Golden Sun Moth, Striped Legless Lizard, Spiny Rice Flower and Pale Swamp Everlasting. Some actions completed include:
- Relocation of Striped Legless Lizards to Laverton North Grasslands.
- Translocation of Spiny Rice Flowers from the Bypass reservation to other areas at Ravenhall.
For more information view flora and fauna [PDF, 1071KB,4pp] fact sheets.
Recycled and bore water was used for construction including for soil compaction, dust suppression, asphalt works and landscaping.
VicRoads has consulted with relevant authorities and organisations to ensure areas of significance are managed appropriately.
For more information view cultural heritage [PDF, 797KB, 3pp] fact sheets.
VicRoads welcomes input and feedback from the local community with consultation involving all stakeholders including local councils, residents, community groups, special interest groups and businesses.
A Community Consultation Group (CCG) was established and met regularly to provide a local resident and business perspectives, to ensure that public issues and concerns are consistently understood and considered, and to provide a forum for information sharing.
For more information about the Deer Park Bypass and the Leakes Road Interchange:
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