The Government of Victoria in Australia has announced that the first sections of the new decks have been installed for the six-lane Chandler Highway Bridge.

Work under the second phase includes installation of 24 new steel bridge beams that are manufactured off-site at Haywards, Tasmania.

The 52m-long beams weigh 72t each and were moved into place using heavy-lift cranes weighing up to 600t.

More than 44,000 people use Chandler Highway per day with the existing two-lane bridge causing a significant bottleneck and traffic congestion during peak hours.

“The new Chandler Highway Bridge is expected to triple capacity and decrease delays faced by drivers crossing the Yarra River and travelling between Ivanhoe and Kew.”

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan said: “This is an important step for the Chandler Highway upgrade. We’re well on the way to opening the new six-lane bridge to boost traffic flow on this critical crossing of the Yarra River.

“People have talked about this upgrade for decades, but while some continue to talk about road upgrades, the Andrews Labor Government is getting on and delivering the congestion-busting projects Victorians need.”

The new Chandler Highway Bridge is expected to triple capacity and decrease delays faced by drivers crossing the Yarra River and travelling between Ivanhoe and Kew.

In order to accommodate six lanes of traffic, the highway is also being widened. Additionally, intersections at Heidelberg Road and Yarra Boulevard will be upgraded to improve traffic flow.

New traffic lights will also be installed at the Yarra Bend development along with a new pedestrian crossing to boost safety and accessibility for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

The Chandler Highway Bridge will feature an upgraded walking and cycling path for the community, linking to paths along the Yarra River. The bridge is due to be completed by the end of this year.