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Pakenham Roads Upgrade Stage Three has transformed Racecourse Road, improving safety, capacity and access along one of Pakenham’s key transport corridors.
Delivered on behalf of VIDA Roads, the project upgraded Racecourse Road between Peet Street and Henry Street, delivering new intersections, upgraded pavements, drainage improvements, shared paths, lighting and essential infrastructure upgrades to support the growing community.
Building on the successful delivery of Stage One in 2024, Stage Three represents another significant milestone in Symal’s partnership with VIDA Roads. Delivered within one of Pakenham’s busiest commercial corridors, the project required close collaboration with businesses, road users and stakeholders to navigate the challenges of construction while delivering a long-term improvement for the community.
Delivering a major road upgrade through an active commercial precinct required careful planning, close collaboration and a commitment to finding better ways forward.
With more than 40 businesses operating along the Racecourse Road corridor, maintaining access throughout construction was a key priority. Working closely with VIDA Roads, local businesses and stakeholders, the team developed staged construction approaches and tailored access solutions to minimise disruption while keeping the community connected throughout delivery.
Building on the success of Stage One, Stage Three strengthened Symal’s partnership with VIDA Roads and demonstrated the team’s ability to deliver complex infrastructure in a challenging live environment. Drawing on lessons from Stage One, the team continued to push what’s possible, finding practical solutions to navigate complex interfaces, maintain progress and respond to the needs of the community.
Safety remained at the heart of every stage of delivery, with the project recording a 0 TRIFR across the entire project. For a project of this scale and complexity, this was a significant achievement. Detailed staging helped minimise exposure to live traffic, while close coordination between engineering, supervision, safety and traffic teams ensured risks were considered well before works reached the ground. Strong frontline supervision and clear change management then helped maintain these standards throughout delivery.
The team also managed a range of complex interfaces, including a congested utility corridor, surrounding projects and the need to maintain existing traffic movements while major works were underway. Through proactive planning, open communication and strong collaboration, Symal worked alongside project partners and stakeholders to balance construction requirements with the needs of road users, businesses and the broader Pakenham community.
Sustainability was embedded throughout delivery, with the team innovating with intent to explore smarter, more sustainable approaches to infrastructure delivery. Recycled materials were incorporated into the works and construction waste was diverted from landfill, while the team also trialled electric plant, portable charging infrastructure, hybrid vehicles and alternative fuels including HVO and biofuel. These initiatives helped test what could be practically applied on a live infrastructure project while building knowledge for future delivery.
Together, these efforts reflect a project team focused on continuously improving the way we build better, together. The completed upgrade now provides a safer, more efficient connection for Pakenham, supporting better journeys for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users for years to come.
