Imagine being jolted awake at 3am, not by a crying baby or a thunderstorm, but by the thumping bass of music and the raucous laughter of construction workers. This is the reality for residents near the Peninsula Link freeway, who are at their wits' end with the ongoing roadworks and the seemingly never-ending party atmosphere it brings.
After a brief respite during the summer holidays, the roadworks resumed on Sunday, bringing with it lane closures, a snail-paced 40 km/h speed limit, and what locals describe as an 'all-night party'. Crews are working round-the-clock on a 4km stretch southbound between Frankston and Flinders and Bungower roads, but it's not just the construction noise that's keeping residents up at night. And this is the part most people miss: it's the loud music, the shouting, and the general lack of consideration for those trying to sleep that has pushed locals over the edge.
One resident, James Oswald, shared his frustration: 'The contractors on Penlink were partying until 3am, music blasting, screaming and yelling. It's like they forgot there are people living here who need to sleep.' Sammy Lakkis, another Baxter resident, echoed this sentiment, calling the workers 'completely inconsiderate'.
The reconstruction and resurfacing work, which began in late July 2025, was initially expected to be completed in stages by December. However, it was paused during the Christmas and peak tourist season to ease traffic congestion—a decision that, ironically, incensed locals who felt their needs were being overlooked in favor of tourists. But here's where it gets controversial: while the pause was intended to benefit holidaymakers, it left residents dealing with prolonged disruption and noise.
Adding to the frustration, cold and wet weather in November delayed the final layer of asphalt, pushing the timeline further back. The work is now expected to continue until late March, with another pause planned for the Easter break. One fed-up resident pointed out the stark contrast between the Peninsula Link project and similar works on toll roads like EastLink, which was resurfaced in just three weeks. 'It’s a toll road, so it needs to make money,' he said. 'Peninsula Link isn’t a toll road, but it feels like we’re paying the price anyway.'
Is it fair for residents to bear the brunt of prolonged roadworks while tourists get priority? And why do toll roads seem to get faster, more efficient treatment? These are questions that have sparked heated debates among locals. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your perspective on this contentious issue.
