FROM THE MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT

DATE: Tuesday, March 26, 2002


PARK ROAD BRIDGE OVER EASTERN FREEWAY EXTENSION OPENED TO TRAFFIC

Transport Minister Peter Batchelor today officially opened the new Park Road Bridge – the second of three bridges which will take traffic over the future Eastern Freeway extension.

Mr Batchelor said he was delighted to join with Member for Mitcham, Mr Tony Robinson, and the Mayors of Manningham, Whitehorse and Maroondah, to open the bridge to traffic.

“The Eastern Freeway provides a vital link for Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and, in addition to removing traffic from local roads, the extension will provide motorists with reduced travel times and a more convenient route to and from the city,” he said.

“Park Road Bridge will stand approximately 8 metres above the future Eastern Freeway extension and includes pedestrian access on the bridge as well as underpasses at both ends under the bridge.

“It is also the biggest single span concrete box girder bridge built on site in the southern hemisphere, with a length of 57.5 metres and a width of 13.6 metres between the kerbs.”

Mr Batchelor thanked the community for their patience during construction of Park Road Bridge and said they could now look forward to a smoother and quicker journey along Park Road.

“It is one of the many ways the Bracks Government is showing our commitment to building this freeway extension which is a major part of our Linking Victoria program,” he said.

“The Eastern Freeway extension project has also enjoyed the strong support and commitment of local councils, Manningham, Whitehorse and Maroondah.

“I now look forward to the next stage of this important project – the completion of the bridge over the freeway at Deep Creek Road/Loughnan Road– plus the construction of 1.5 km of tunnel under the environmentally sensitive Mullum Mullum creek.

The Eastern Freeway extension project will extend the freeway for a further 5 km from Springvale Road to Ringwood Street.