The Government of Victoria in Australia has shortlisted contractors to build the A$711m ($513.21m) second stage of the Monash Freeway upgrade project.

LendLease Engineering, CPB Constructions and John Holland will be invited to submit tenders to deliver the freeway upgrade project, which will add up to 36km of updated and additional lanes for motorists.

The upgrade will provide an additional outbound lane between Warrigal Road and EastLink, inbound lane from EastLink to Springvale Road. The project will also expand the Monash Freeway from four to six lanes between Clyde Road and Cardinia Road.

It will include a separated road connection from Jacksons Road to EastLink and a new signalised entry ramp from Police Road onto the freeway.

“We will be installing smart, on-road technology from the South Gippsland Freeway to the Beaconsfield Interchange, which will give drivers live traffic information and better lane management.”

More links are planned to be constructed to the freeway through an upgraded Beaconsfield Interchange, which will link to a duplicated and extended O’Shea Road.

Victoria Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan said: “By adding extra lanes where they’re needed, drivers will spend nine minutes less time stuck in traffic during a peak hour trip from Pakenham to the city.”

Construction work on the new lanes is scheduled to commence next year, with completion expected by mid-2022.

Victoria Member for Oakleigh Steve Dimopoulos said that new technology will also be used to enhance safety on the freeway.

Dimopoulos further added: “We will be installing smart, on-road technology from the South Gippsland Freeway to the Beaconsfield Interchange, which will give drivers live traffic information and better lane management during incidents to ensure safe and reliable journeys.”

The Australian Government is providing A$500m ($361m) for the jointly funded Monash Freeway upgrade project, which also includes A$211m ($152.3m) from the Victorian Government.