Easing congestion and connecting communities.
The Western Port Highway Upgrade was a major initiative jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian governments under the Road and Rail Program.
As a key north–south transport corridor, the Western Port Highway links the Monash and South Gippsland freeways in the north to Hastings in the south.
The project team replaced two major roundabouts with signalised intersections, improving traffic flow, safety and reliability for more than 22,000 daily drivers.
The upgrade also included utility relocations, road widening, landscaping and the installation of modern traffic management systems, as well as new shared walking and cycling paths to support community health and wellbeing.
All four sets of traffic lights within a six-kilometre stretch are now sequenced to optimise traffic flow. The completed upgrade has strengthened connectivity, increased capacity, and created safer, faster journeys for both people and freight.
Scope
MRPV engaged the delivery team to deliver the design and construction phases of the project.
- Removal of roundabouts and upgrade to signalised intersections, supported by traffic modelling, 3D road design, and carriageway widening.
- Installation of barriers, signage, line marking, traffic signals, new street lighting, ISOLUX modelling, CCTV, and digital monitoring systems.
- Structures design and delivery, including retaining walls, culvert headwalls, territorial culverts (fauna crossings), and flood mitigation measures.
- Drainage and environmental solutions, including bio-retention systems, stormwater and sub-surface drainage design and multi-cell culvert extension.
- Landscaping and urban design, including new footpaths and shared use path networks.
- Duplication of Ballarto Road from two lanes to four lanes with a central median.
- Comprehensive road works, including earthworks, safety barriers, and associated works.
1.4km
Nearly 1.4 km of new shared paths for pedestrians and cycling.
13,000
13,000 hours of First Nations employment delivered.
22,000
22,000 daily drivers now benefit from safer and more reliable journeys with less delays.
4
Duplication of Ballarto Road to four lanes with central median.
Social impact
The Western Port Highway Upgrade delivered significant benefits for local communities and road users including:
- Improved efficiency: Enhanced north-south connectivity and capacity has reduced delays and improved reliability along the six-kilometre stretch of highway.
- Safer journeys: Modern intersections, road duplication and upgraded traffic management systems have reduced crash risk and severity.
- Active transport: 1.4km of new shared walking and cycling paths providing safer and healthier travel options.
- Economic and social outcomes: Employment targets for Indigenous workers were exceeded, with more than 130,000 hours of work completed.
This project was delivered by the Downer Transport Projects business which operated from December 2014 – June 2023 as part of Downer EDI Works Pty Ltd. In June 2023, DT Infrastructure Pty Ltd acquired the assets of the Downer Transport Projects business, including the transfer of approximately 1,200 employees, intellectual property rights, plant and equipment and other assets, and the novation of a number of projects which were ongoing at the time of the acquisition.