Project Overview

The Pakenham Road Upgrade – Works Package 1 is the largest and critical first stage of the broader $415 million Pakenham Roads Upgrade, delivered as part of Victoria’s Big Build program. Focused on enhancing the Princes Freeway interchanges, this phase encompassed the construction of a new bridge over the freeway, expanded freeway ramps, additional lanes in both directions, and new shared walking and cycling paths—all aimed at easing congestion, improving safety, and boosting accessibility for the Pakenham community.

Outright Surveying was engaged by Symal Infrastructure to deliver full field surveying support and manage all survey operations across this major infrastructure work package.

Site Challenges

The complexity and scale of this project presented several challenges:

  • Multiple concurrent works across interchanges, bridge structures, and path alignments demanded meticulously staged survey control.
  • High-traffic freeway environments required precise survey coordination to ensure safety and maintain traffic flow.
  • Integration of diverse elements—bridges, ramps, lanes, and cycle paths—across evolving alignment plans.
  • Need for tight accuracy alongside dynamic construction sequencing, working in sync with Civil teams and contractors.

Our Approach

Outright Surveying provided a seamless, end-to-end survey solution:

  • Established a high-precision control network across key site points to anchor all subsequent surveys
  • Executed continuous field survey support, enabling the accurate layout of bridge spans, ramps, and expanded lanes
  • Managed real-time survey data documentation and communication, keeping stakeholders updated as works progressed
  • Coordinated closely with Symal and MRPV’s civil teams to align survey captures with stage-by-stage construction, including traffic staging and temporary works phases

We leveraged GNSS systems, robotic total stations, and digital data workflows to ensure speed, precision, and flexibility in fast-moving site conditions.

Results Delivered

Outright Surveying’s comprehensive services were instrumental in enabling the successful delivery of the Works Package 1 scope. Our surveys underpinned the construction of:

  • A new bridge over the Princes Freeway at Healesville–Koo Wee Rup Road (opened August 2024)
  • Expanded freeway interchange ramps and additional freeway lanes (opened throughout 2024)
  • Redesigned entry and exit intersections with traffic light upgrades, replacing former roundabouts
  • Enhanced shared-use paths for pedestrians and cyclists, delivering better connectivity

This project stage was delivered ahead of schedule and under budget, featuring strong safety performance and sustainability initiatives, including foamed bitumen technology to reduce emissions and material use.

Looking Ahead

With Package 1 complete, attention now shifts to the next phases—upgrading McGregor and Racecourse Roads and their associated interchanges.

Need precise surveying for your infrastructure project?

Whether you're planning bridges, interchanges, shared-use paths, or complex roadworks, Outright Surveying delivers accurate, reliable survey services from initial setup through to construction handover.

Contact Outright Surveying or explore our Civil Construction & Infrastructure surveying capabilities to find out how we can support your next project.