BMD Constructions has begun work on the next section of the A$2.25bn (US$2.17bn) M80 ring road upgrade in Melbourne, Australia.

The project will involve the upgrade of a section between Furlong Road and Sunshine Avenue.

The federal government will provide receive A$900m (US$870.5m) for the project, which aims to improve safety and reliability, ease congestion and decrease travel times.

The next stage of the project will involve building two extra freeway lanes and bridge widening over Furlong Road, which will be complete in 2013.

Work is already underway between Calder Freeway and Sydney Road and a contract for works between the Western Highway and Furlong Road is yet to be awarded.

The project will also widen the Western and Metropolitan ring roads to include three lanes in each direction.