Motorists in Melbourne’s south-east are now travelling through a safer and faster intersection, with the Thompsons Road and Berwick-Cranbourne Road Intersection Upgrade officially open to traffic seven months ahead of schedule.
The project, delivered by the federal and Victorian governments, brings improved journeys for residents of Clyde North, Cranbourne North and Berwick.
The intersection is now open to all motorists using the route.
The former roundabout has been replaced with traffic lights, a change designed to improve traffic flow for the 47,000 motorists who use the intersection each day.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said the change marked a significant turning point for the area.
“The congested old roundabout is now a thing of the past,” said King.
Beyond the new signals, the works have added extra approach lanes to the intersection and upgraded bus infrastructure.
These improvements provide safer travel options for pedestrians and cyclists as well as drivers and public transport users.
Construction also delivered a boost to the local jobs market, with more than 120 direct jobs and 297 indirect jobs created while the upgrade was built.
The $83.5 million project was funded equally by the federal and state governments, reflecting a shared commitment to easing congestion across Melbourne’s south-east.
Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Paul Hamer said the upgrade would benefit families across the area.
“This upgrade means local families will spend less time waiting in traffic and more time at the places that matter to them,” said Hamer.
Attention is now turning to the nearby Clyde Road Upgrade, which is also on track to be delivered seven months ahead of schedule.
That project will widen the Princes Freeway overpass from six to 10 lanes, easing travel for the 30,000 vehicles that use the road each day.
The Thompsons Road intersection joins a growing list of completed projects across Melbourne’s south-east.
Works already finished include the O’Shea Road, Thompsons Road, Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road, Hall Road and Western Port Highway upgrades.
For drivers, the most visible change is the switch from a roundabout to signalised control.
Traffic lights allow movements through the intersection to be managed in set phases, a common approach at high volume junctions where roundabouts can struggle to keep pace with demand.
The additional approach lanes add further capacity on the roads leading into the intersection, while the upgraded bus infrastructure is intended to make public transport a more practical choice for local commuters.
Together with the safer options for pedestrians and cyclists, the works cater for a wide range of road users.
Together, the Thompsons Road and Clyde Road projects target two major routes in the area, with a combined 77,000 vehicles using them each day.
Residents of Clyde North, Cranbourne North and Berwick can now expect more reliable travel times through the Thompsons Road and Berwick-Cranbourne Road intersection, with the upgrade forming part of a broader program of road improvements across the region.
