Albury Wodonga Hume Freeway
The 17km Albury Wodonga Hume Freeway opened to traffic on 6 March 2007. The route links the Hume Freeway in Wodonga with the Hume Highway at Ettamogah, north of Albury.
The $524 million project was funded by the Australian Government and included the $12 million Bandiana Link that was jointly funded by the Victorian and Australian governments.
The $524 million project was funded by the Australian Government and included the $12 million Bandiana Link that was jointly funded by the Victorian and Australian governments.
Abigroup Contractors Pty Ltd was contracted to build both the $251 million New South Wales contract and the $100 million Victorian contract. The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) and VicRoads coordinated the works.
About the project
The 17.4 kilometre route links the Hume Freeway at Wodonga in Victoria with the Hume Highway at Ettamogah in NSW. The 4 lane freeway provides overpasses at intersecting roads and access to surrounding areas via entry and exit ramps at key locations.
A second crossing of the Murray River between Albury and Wodonga was constructed, along with a 3.7km road link to Bandiana, connecting the Murray Valley Highway, south east of Wodonga with the Hume Freeway.
Features
Main features of the new freeway include:
- Full diamond interchanges at Thurgoona Drive, Borella Road, Bridge Street and High Street (allowing entry exit from both directions).
- Half diamond interchanges at Billy Hughes Bridge, Corrys Hill and Bandiana Link (allowing exit and from only one direction).
- Bridges at both Fallon and North Streets over Sydney-Melbourne railway line and the freeway.
- Bridges over the Murray River, Flanagans Creek, Wodonga Creek, Oddies Creek and the railway line.
- Pedestrian bridges at Dean Street, Albury Railway Station and Amatex Street and shared pedestrian/cycle paths along much of the route.
- Extensive urban design features and landscaping along the freeway, including new parks in East Albury and South Albury.
Benefits
- Improved travel conditions and level of road safety for local and through-traffic.
- Reduced congestion and travel times between Albury and Wodonga (35,000 vehicles per day removed from Lincoln Causeway).
- Elimination of 6 railway level crossings on or adjacent to the new freeway.
- Bypassing of 17 sets of traffic lights and 5 right-angled bends (such as 'rollover corner').
- Better access between Albury and Wodonga and surrounding areas.
- Removal of heavy vehicles from residential streets in South Albury.