Communities in Melbourne’s outer north will soon spend less time in traffic with safer and more reliable journeys.

The Albanese and Allan Labor Governments have kickstarted works on a $175 million upgrade to the Watson Street Interchange and Northern Highway Intersection in Wallan.

The Australian Government has committed $90 million and the Victorian Government $85 million to the project.

The Watson Street Interchange Upgrade will complete the diamond interchange at Watson Street and the Hume Freeway.

The project will add new freeway ramps, giving drivers direct access to Wallan northbound and the freeway southbound, easing congestion and improving traffic flow.

New traffic lights will be installed on both sides of the Watson Street bridge, along with improved walking and cycling paths.

The Northern Highway Intersection Upgrade will improve safety and increase capacity at a key Wallan intersection.

The first stage of upgrades along the corridor will include new lanes and a second right-turn lane from Watson Street heading north, which will improve traffic flow. Walking and cycling connections will be upgraded for safer local travel.

The upgrades are together expected to create more than 1,100 jobs during construction.

Site investigations are also nearing completion for the Camerons Lane Interchange on the Hume Freeway, the next major project in the pipeline.

The new interchange will improve access for growing residential areas and ease pressure on the wider network.

The Albanese and Allan Labor governments are also investing in the second stage of major upgrades to Donnybrook Road, including a second bridge over the Hume Freeway and road duplication works to improve traffic flow and safety for growing communities.

The Donnybrook Road upgrades, Watson Street Interchange upgrade and the Northern Highway Intersection upgrades all build on a pipeline of $1.1 billion in joint transport investments underway across Melbourne’s outer north.

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

“From Watson St and the Northern Highway to Donnybrook Road, our significant investments in Melbourne’s outer north will make it safer and easier for people to get around.

“We are also nearing completion of planning for Camerons Lane, which will support future growth.”

Quotes attributable to Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams:

“These projects will deliver safer and more reliable roads for growing communities, helping people spend less time in traffic and more time getting where they need to go.

“We’re proud to have a partner in Canberra working with us to deliver better roads and smoother journeys for communities across Melbourne’s outer north.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell:

“These upgrades will help keep people moving safely in our communities and reduce congestion on busy local roads.

“After a decade of neglect under Liberal governments, these investments show how only Labor has the will to deliver the long-awaited infrastructure needed for the outer north.”

Quote attributable to State Member for Kalkallo Ros Spence:

“These investments will support safer travel and stronger local connections while improving traffic flow for local communities.”

Quote attributable to State Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage:

“These upgrades will improve safety and ease congestion for local families.”