The streetscape of Pakenham is about to change as Major Road Projects Victoria announces they are set to open all lanes on the Healesville-Kooweerup Road Upgrade 18 months ahead of schedule, and the new bridge over the Princes Freeway will be open in June.
Previously slated for a late-2025 finish, the works to upgrade this crucial south east connecting road will be completed by July 2024, following over two years of major construction.
With 37 collisions recorded in the five years to June 2023 between the Princes Freeway and Maks Road, the Healesville-Kooweerup Road Upgrade was carefully constructed to dramatically reduce the number and severity of road collisions.
New roundabouts, boasting added safety features such as gently sweeping curves and a curved entrance to the roundabout have been installed at Ballarto Road, Hall Road and south of Deep Creek, with new traffic lights installed at Greenhills Road to provide another avenue for freight traffic to access the Pakenham industrial complex.
As part of the Healesville-Kooweerup Road Upgrade, crews have also added an extra lane in each direction between Princes Freeway and Manks Road; built a new bridge over Deep Creek near the water recycling plant; and built a new shared walking and cycling path.
It comes as the Pakenham Roads Upgrade forges towards a major milestone, with the Princes Freeway bridge set to open to traffic in June, while the McGregor Road freeway ramp diamond will be completed in May.
The Pakenham Roads Upgrade is being delivered in three stages and will deliver reduced bottlenecks and improved traffic flow; safer outcomes for all road users; and better connections to and from the
Princes Freeway and the rapidly expanding Pakenham Employment Corridor, as well as to the town centre.
Pakenham is home to around 70,000 people and nearly 8,000 jobs. The area has grown rapidly over the last 20 years, increasing congestion on the local road network.
Together, these projects will create a more efficient transport network for Pakenham, reducing bottlenecks, improving connectivity and safety for all road users.
