Southern Way Wins Controversial $759 Million Peninsula Link Freeway Contract

VICTORIAN Road minister Tim Pallas has named development consortium Southern Way will build the controversial Peninsula Link freeway.

The $759 million contract - for a freeway some say does not need to be built because there isn't a population to support it - will stretch 27 kilometres from Carrum Downs, to Mt Martha, and includes 11 road connections, more than 35 bridges, 18,000 square metres of retaining wall and public art.

It is due for completion in early 2013.

The Southern Way consortium includes construction company Abigroup, infrastructure services Bilfinger Berger, and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

The initiative will include a 22 kilometre walking path and bike track.

Southern Way will finance, construct and operate Peninsula Link for 25 years, receiving quarterly repayments from the Victorian Government.