Improvement works to the main Baxter-Tooradin road in the Australian state of Victoria will begin next year, as part of the A$759m (US$705.6m) Peninsula Link project.

The A$2m (US$1.95m) improvement works include a signalised pedestrian crossing and shoulder sealing with kerb and channel upgrades, traffic signals and a footpath connection to the Peninsula Link Trail.

The work will increase safety and connections for pedestrians and cyclists, while toll-free Peninsula Link will reduce travel times, allowing commuters from Baxter to reach either Carrum Downs or Mt Martha in about 8min.

Linking Melbourne Authority will work with VicRoads and Mornington Peninsula Shire to carry out the project during 2011.

Peninsula Link involves building 27km of motorway, with two lanes in each direction, between Carrum Downs and Mount Martha suburbs, south-east of Melbourne’s central business district.

The link will open in early 2013.