Two contractors have been shortlisted to commence Mordialloc Freeway in south-east Melbourne to ease traffic congestion and provide more reliable commute times.

Victoria Ministry for Roads and Road Safety has shortlisted McConnell Dowell / Decmil Joint Venture, and CPB / Seymour Whyte Joint Venture to submit tenders for the $375m freeway project.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan said: “We’re not wasting a single minute getting on with this important project which will slash travel times and congestion and give local roads back to local residents.”

The 9km, four-lane freeway will connect the Mornington Peninsula Freeway at Springvale Road in Aspendale Gardens to the Dingley Bypass in Dingley Village, thereby providing a continuous link from Frankston.

“We’re not wasting a single minute getting on with this important project which will slash travel times and congestion and give local roads back to local residents.”

The freeway will have entry and exit ramp interchanges at Springvale Road, Lower Dandenong Road, Governor Road and Centre Dandenong Road.

Once the project opens, drivers are expected to save travel time by up to ten minutes in each direction between the Mornington Peninsula Freeway and Dingley Bypass.

Further, the new Mordialloc Bypass will be able to divert thousands of vehicles coming from nearby arterial roads, which will in turn ease traffic on local roads.

The project will see a new Thames Promenade interchange being constructed, thereby making it convenient for drivers to access the Mornington Peninsula Freeway. The entire stretch will see a new shared user path, which will provide a safer route for cyclists and pedestrians.

Major construction work is likely to commence next year and will be completed by the end of 2021.