THE first part of the most recent Calder Highway duplication project will open next month, almost one year ahead of schedule.
The 15 kilometre stretch of the highway from south of Malmsbury to Elphinstone will open on April 12 , with a special community event planned.
The $153 million stretch of the road is expected to ferry 12,000 vehicles a day off a section of highway that resulted in four deaths and 25 serious injuries in the five years to July, 2007.
Work began on the development in November, 2005 and will be completed 11 months ahead of schedule.
The community event will feature a public walk around two kilometres of the Metcalfe State Forest as well as activities and displays from 10am to 1pm.
Although the speed limit will eventually be raised to 110 kilometres an hour, when the road opens to motorists on April 12 the speed limit will be 80km/h to ensure the face stones are bedded down.
Traffic lights will control access to the new freeway from the current Calder Highway at the Elphinstone end until the full length is opened around Harcourt to Fogarty’s Gap Road.
This is currently on schedule for early to mid 2009.