More than 500 tonnes of crushed glass is being used in repair works on the Western Freeway at Pykes Creek, in a first for regional Victoria.

The $2.4 million project will use around 540 tonnes of fine crushed glass mixed in alongside traditional roadbuilding materials to repair 2.4 kilometres of the freeway’s Ballarat-bound lanes.

The works will deliver a safer, smoother journey for the 10,000 vehicles which travel along the Western Freeway each day – one of the state’s busiest transport and freight routes – while making use of recycled glass.

A range of recycled materials are used in road construction projects across regional Victoria, including using recycled rubber sourced from disused tyres for road sealing.

Road safety infrastructure created from recycled plastic bags and rubber, including roadside bollards and roundabouts, have also been installed in various locations across regional Victoria.

The Western Freeway rehabilitation works are part of the Andrews Labor Government’s record $333 million investment into upgrading and repairing roads across regional Victoria.

Speed reductions will be in place on the Western Freeway at Pykes Creek for the duration of the works, for the safety of drivers and workers.

The works are expected to be completed in early April, weather permitting.

To keep track of this project, or find out what else is happening in your area, visit regionalroads.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle

“This is a true win – win. The Western Freeway now be a safer and smoother road for the thousands of drivers that use it every day and it will make use of 540 tonnes of recycled crushed glass.”

“We’re proud to be investing in innovative projects like this, which are improving our roads while supporting a more sustainable future by using recycled materials.”