Drivers will enjoy safer conditions and easier access to and from the Hume Freeway at Kalkallo from today with the opening of three new freeway ramps and the new Donnybrook Road Bridge spanning Kalkallo Creek.

Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas said the new ramps and bridge were important milestones of the $39 million Donnybrook Road interchange project.

“The Donnybrook Road interchange project is an important upgrade of our road network, eliminating the Hume Freeway and Donnybrook Road intersection, improving safety and access on this route,” Mr Pallas said.

“The project is progressing at an outstanding pace and is now due for completion in early 2009, months ahead of schedule.

“Direct access is now available with new ramps. The city-bound exit freeway ramp provides a new connection east along Donnybrook Road, and freeway ramps on the west side create new links between the freeway and Donnybrook Road.

“A new two-lane bridge spanning Kalkallo is also now open to traffic, replacing the historic single-lane stone bridge which has carried local traffic since 1876.

“The new bridge will provide safer and easier access along this route. The old bridge which had carried 2000 vehicles, including 200 trucks, to and from the Hume Freeway each day will now be preserved for local access to nearby residential areas.”

Mr Pallas said significant progress was being made on the remaining works, with the last bridge beams placed yesterday for the overpass to carry Donnybrook Road over the Hume Freeway.

“Once completed, the interchange will allow for access to and from the Hume Freeway and Donnybrook Road in all directions, improving safety and accessibility for the local community and other drivers,” he said.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Anthony Albanese said road users would enjoy the significant economic benefits of this investment in the Victorian road network.

“The $39 million project will provide more efficient road access north of Melbourne and along the Hume Freeway and significantly reduce accidents at this Blackspot location where 18 casualty crashes have been recorded in the past five years,” Mr Albanese said.

“All road users, including the road freight industry and its customers, will enjoy the significant economic benefits from this project.

“Importantly local people will enjoy earlier benefits with the interchange and associated works on track to finish months ahead of schedule.

“The Donnybrook Interchange project is fully funded by the Australian Government.”

Mr Pallas said VicRoads had worked to minimise disruption to the local community and reinstate access as early as possible.