Two new CityLink exit ramps from the Bolte Bridge opened on Monday 12 October.

This is a major milestone in the $1.39 billion Monash-CityLink-West Gate Upgrade.

The opening of the Bolte Bridge ramps came a week after new ramps on the West Gate Freeway opened on Sunday 4 October and Monday 5 October.

The new ramps reduce merging and weaving and separate traffic according to its destination.

A dedicated ramp now takes traffic from Kings Way east to the Bolte Bridge and West Gate Bridge. A new ramp also takes traffic from the Domain Tunnel and West Gate Freeway to the Bolte Bridge and Todd Road.

Another new ramp from Montague Street heading east to the Burnley Tunnel has also opened and there will be new access from City Road to the entry ramp at Kings Way to the tunnel.

A map of the traffic changes and further information is available on the Monash-CityLink-West Gate upgrade website or by calling 1300 881 137.
 

Springvale Road reopened a week earlier than expected after major work at the Nunawading level crossing was completed.

The road was closed to allow a bridge to be built as part of the $140 million Springvale Road Rail Separation project.

In order to build the bridge, it was expected that the road would have to be closed to vehicles for 11 days. However, due to the efforts of an excellent project team and round-the-clock bridge preparation works in good weather, the road reopened on Wednesday 23 September – 6 days earlier than expected.

The new section of road-bridge is now at ground level. This will allow for future excavation to create the tunnel for the new rail tracks and for the relocated premium station.

The temporary closure has allowed works to be carried out safely. It has also avoided many more short-term road closures, which means less disruption to drivers and the community.

For more information about this project, visit the Springvale Road Rail Separation Project website.
 

Concept designs of stations on the $4.5 billion Melbourne Metro project have been released. The images show what Stage 1 of the Melbourne Metro project could look like.

The project will shape future growth of the CBD and inner Melbourne.

Stage 1 of the Melbourne Metro will see a new underground rail link from Dynon to Domain (St Kilda Road). The tunnel will go via Parkville and provide rail access to Melbourne University and the medical precinct.

Stations could also be constructed or redeveloped between Footscray and Parkville, the CBD, South Melbourne and Domain.

Engineers and technical designers are being sought for the project to examine the possible location of the new rail tunnel.

Melbourne Metro will be capable of moving 12,000 passengers every hour and provide a seamless link from the inner west to the St Kilda Road precinct.

Construction on Melbourne Metro is expected to start in 2012 and the Victorian Government will be seeking Commonwealth funding for the more than $4.5 billion project.

To see images of the designs of the station, visit the Victorian Transport Plan website.

The first two pieces of Footscray station’s new footbridge have been lifted into place. The work is part of the $51.2 million Footscray Renewal program.

The next two spans will be lifted into place this month and will be followed by the construction of stairs and lifts.

The bridge will improve access to platforms, incorporating stair and lift access to all platforms.

Bicycle channels will also be created to provide cyclists with easy access to the station. An architecturally designed canopy provides weather protection, while new CCTV security cameras and better lighting will improve security.

The project is compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and will provide for the high pedestrian flow now and in the future.

The attractive and modern structure incorporates community feedback.

For more information about this project, visit the Victorian Transport Plan website.

A new Western Freeway route between Melton and Bacchus Marsh is a step closer.

John Holland and AECOM will join VicRoads to build the new road through Anthony’s Cutting. Major construction is scheduled to begin in early 2010 and is due to be completed in 2012.

The new route through Anthony’s Cutting will eliminate the tight curves and low-speed section of the Western Highway. This section has seen 21 casualty crashes over the last five years.

The completed Western Freeway route will deliver major economic benefits for the road freight industry and its customers. Significant travel time and cost savings can be expected for goods and produce transported between Melbourne, Ballarat, Western Victoria and beyond.

The new freeway alignment will extend for five kilometres between Harkness Road in Melton West and Bacchus Marsh Road in Bacchus Marsh.

To find out more about this project, visit the Victorian Transport Plan website.
 

The Department of Transport recently conducted community consultation about bus stop changes along Lonsdale Street in preparation for the introduction of Doncaster Area Rapid Transit (DART).

DART will deliver service upgrades to four key bus routes through Doncaster, Doncaster East, Templestowe, Donvale and Warrandyte. People living in these areas will benefit from faster and more convenient bus services to and from the city from early 2011.

This consultation led to the recent removal of some stops, installation of new stops and an increase in capacity at each stop by doubling bus bay numbers. These changes benefit passengers who can access all services at every stop along the street. They will also pave the way for future bus services.

For more information about this project, visit the Victorian Transport Plan website.
 

Legislation designed to fast-track vital Victorian Transport Plan projects has been passed by State Parliament.

The Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act 2009 is due to come into law in early November.

The Act introduces a one-stop approvals process for declared major transport projects. It also gives new powers to cut delays in construction.

This will lead to substantial cost savings for both taxpayers and private investors, giving Victoria a competitive edge and boosting the economy.

The streamlined approvals process is transparent and safeguards regulatory standards. Opportunities for community consultation and the right to judicial review at the end of the process will remain.

Projects eligible to use the new process will be declared by the Premier, according to published guidelines.

The new process will trim more than 12 months off the average time taken to assess such projects in the past.
 

A new ticketing system, myki, will be introduced later this year on Melbourne’s public transport network. People will now be able to choose how they manage their myki.

There are two different ways to use a myki – either buying a myki pass or using myki money.

A myki pass is like a monthly or yearly ticket but is more flexible. Customers can decide which zone they will travel in and how many days they want to travel for. This can be seven days or anywhere between 28 and 365 days.

Meanwhile, myki money operates like putting credit on a pay-as-you-go phone. Credit is stored on the myki and when customers touch on and off, the system gives them the best available fare for their trip. myki money can be topped up anytime by any amount.

You can also have both myki pass and myki money on your myki. The benefit of having both on your myki is that you do not need to think about which ticket to buy. The system will automatically choose a myki pass or myki money fare based on how you travel that day, so you'll always receive the best fare.

For more information about the myki project, visit the myki website.