[COM] M2 Northern Connector | 15.5km | $867m

[Norman]

Not sure if anyone's posted this already but at the northern end of the superway, where the NC will run, work is well underway.

I've been trying to figure out what exactly they're doing with the PRExy median. In two spots, it's been removed and replaced with bitumen. A future u-turn spot for when they demolish the existing interchange, perhaps? This makes sense with the westernmost clearing, between South Road and Hanson Road, but the eastern median clearing doesn't fit this theory.

Probably to facilitate lanes being closed on either side, with traffic diverted to the other lane during works by single lane running. The bitumen provides a crossover point.

[Brucetiki]

Someone forgot to reset the variable speed limit signs on Salisbury Highway this morning - mind you 40km/h is about the going rate on Salisbury Highway at that time of the morning anyway.

I also note there are ALOT of people that ignore the variable speed limit signs. The amount of cars that have whizzed past me at 90 when the speed is changed to 60 is staggering - the police would have a field day if they set a camera up through the works!

[Norman]

And don't get me started on those ignoring the ramp meeting on the Western Ring Road and Monash Freeway!

[bits]

Someone forgot to reset the variable speed limit signs on Salisbury Highway this morning - mind you 40km/h is about the going rate on Salisbury Highway at that time of the morning anyway.

Where on Salisbury Highway is there variable speed signs?
I thought it was just fixed 60/70/90 for different sections.

[Norman]

There are variable speed signs at the intersection with the North South Motorway (South Road).

[Kasey771]

Not sure if anyone's posted this already but at the northern end of the superway, where the NC will run, work is well underway.

I've been trying to figure out what exactly they're doing with the PRExy median. In two spots, it's been removed and replaced with bitumen. A future u-turn spot for when they demolish the existing interchange, perhaps? This makes sense with the westernmost clearing, between South Road and Hanson Road, but the eastern median clearing doesn't fit this theory.

Probably to facilitate lanes being closed on either side, with traffic diverted to the other lane during works by single lane running. The bitumen provides a crossover point.

That's what I reckon. this way they can connect the first part of the Northern connector to the Northern(Eastbound>> Salisbury) carriageway whilst still allowing traffic to go in both directions on the PREXY

[ChillyPhilly]

That's what I reckon. this way they can connect the first part of the Northern connector to the Northern(Eastbound>> Salisbury) carriageway whilst still allowing traffic to go in both directions on the PREXY

And so it was indeed lane switching that began tonight, with PRExy eastbound being changed to the southern carriage for one lane in each direction. There is also now a string of concrete barriers along the edge of eastbound PREXy lanes. Work stepping up.

[ChillyPhilly]

DPTI have uploaded a brief video to YouTube showing drone (or helicopter!) footage of the early southern interchange works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5eBJxHd8yQ

It occupies a larger area than we can appreciate from ground level, even when viewed from the existing interchange there.

For a laugh I Shazam'd the track and it's 'Mock Up' by Nicky Jam (apparently).

[rev]

That dump along with the recycling centers need to be moved out of the metro area.
If for no other reason then it all being a major eyesore, then because of the spate of fires that keep happening at those locations that release toxic plumes of smoke over the northern/north west suburbs.

[monotonehell]

...showing drone (or helicopter!) footage of the early southern interchange works...

Nice
Defo a drone.

[ChillyPhilly]

Based on recent works, it looks like PRExy will be widened to three lanes between Hanson Road and east of the Motorway. Sorely needed, especially in peak hour.

[ChillyPhilly]

Small update: vast majority of foliage between the northern dump and the northern carriageway of PRExy cleared. Land cleared too, and work begun on a new eastbound lane. Work site continues to be increasingly defined.

[Norman]

Small update: vast majority of foliage between the northern dump and the northern carriageway of PRExy cleared. Land cleared too, and work begun on a new eastbound lane. Work site continues to be increasingly defined.

I believe the new east-bound lane will be one of the slip lanes leading onto the Northern Connector, just like the west-bound lanes onto the Superway.

[ChillyPhilly]

Small update: vast majority of foliage between the northern dump and the northern carriageway of PRExy cleared. Land cleared too, and work begun on a new eastbound lane. Work site continues to be increasingly defined.

I believe the new east-bound lane will be one of the slip lanes leading onto the Northern Connector, just like the west-bound lanes onto the Superway.

That's what I'm thinking too. I think there's still a chance we will see PRExy widened from around here though, especially with the Motorway to PRExy ramp to be demolished and not reinstated.

[SBD]

Small update: vast majority of foliage between the northern dump and the northern carriageway of PRExy cleared. Land cleared too, and work begun on a new eastbound lane. Work site continues to be increasingly defined.

I believe the new east-bound lane will be one of the slip lanes leading onto the Northern Connector, just like the west-bound lanes onto the Superway.

That's what I'm thinking too. I think there's still a chance we will see PRExy widened from around here though, especially with the Motorway to PRExy ramp to be demolished and not reinstated.

Won't it be effectively widened by moving a lot of the traffic onto the Northern Connector instead of Salisbury Highway Extension? I doubt there will be much traffic that uses Salisbury Highway left onto PWR once the Northern Connector is in place. Commuters and transport alike will use the NC instead. There will be off ramps at Bolivar Road and Waterloo Corner Road as well as leading in to both PWR and NExpy.

I think the project plan shows the eastbound carriageway being moved a little further north in the area of the current loop, to make space for the south->west ramp to join in the centre of the road.