The world’s first noise walls made from 75 per cent recycled plastic have been hoisted into place along the new Mordialloc Freeway.

The revolutionary panels are made using 570 tonnes of plastic waste –around the same amount collected kerbside from 25,000 Victorian households in a year.

It comes as the Andrews Labor Government gives the green light to the upgrades of Craigieburn Road in Craigieburn, Golf Links Road in Langwarrin South and Pound Road West in Dandenong South, which are being delivered in partnership with the Commonwealth Government and built by Major Road Projects Victoria.

Major construction will get underway in the second half of 2021 on these congestion-busting suburban upgrades, with detailed design work already underway by Fulton Hogan, Seymour Whyte Constructions and MACA Civil.

In further good news for motorists, progress on a series of upgrades already underway at Childs Road, Hallam North Road, Fitzsimons Lane and Lathams Road will now see those projects finished by 2023, two years ahead of schedule.

The third stage of the Princes Highway East Upgrade will be delivered concurrently through a trio of partners including Laing O’Rourke, Whelans Group Investments and BildGroup providing more regional job opportunities.

This pipeline of projects will mean more than 4,500 direct Victorian jobs and will support a further 11,000 jobs.

These projects are part of the Labor Government’s record push to use recycled materials in new transport projects, with more than 250,000 tonnes of crushed concrete and 30,000 tonnes of reclaimed asphalt to be incorporated.

Victorians can expect to see more waste than ever being integrated into transport projects as part of Big Build’s new Recycled First policy. The policy requires bidders to optimise their use of recycled and reused content.

This will see the use of recycled plastic fibre to reinforce non-structural concrete, recycled plastic drainage pipes as well as tonnes of reclaimed asphalt, plastic, glass, crushed concrete and brick going into road pavement.

More than 3,000 tonnes of recycled glass and will be used in drainage works on Fitzsimons Lane, as well as almost two and a half kilometres of recycled plastic drainage pipes.

Recycled plastic pipes will also feature on Hallam Road North, along with 2,000 tonnes of recycled glass sand in drainage works. The upgrade of Childs Road will feature almost two tonnes of plastic in its concrete paving works.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan

“We are delivering an unprecedented amount of road projects and upgrades to keep Victorians moving, and creating thousands of jobs to keep the economy moving.”

“Whether it’s fixing the roundabout at the end of your street or the freeway you drive to work – we’re building better roads that get you home safer and more reliably.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“We are making sure that recycling innovation is at the heart of our major infrastructure projects. It’s fantastic to see old plastic bottles and take-away containers turned into freeway noise walls as part of our state’s Big Build.”

Quote attributable to Member for Mordialloc Tim Richardson

“We’re now a step a closer on this vital project for our community that will get trucks off local roads and make a smoother and safer journey for everyone.”