The project, which will upgrade the section from Kooyong Road to Tonkin Highway, was committed to by John Howard following a local community campaign by then Liberal candidate Steve Irons in 2007.
Howard’s announcement forced Kevin Rudd to copy the proposal and secured critical bipartisan support for the project before the 07 poll.
However Mr Irons, who has made nine speeches in Parliament on the upgrade, knew that there would be a long road ahead and upon being elected made it his number one priority to ensure that the new Labor Prime Minister upheld his promise.
Three and a half years on and thanks to the sizeable funding contribution and leadership of the Liberal-National State Government the upgrade has now commenced.
"This was the first issue that I started working on as a Liberal candidate back in 2007 and I am very proud to see works commence today" Mr Irons said.
"We have had to fight the Federal Government every step of the way and there was one point where they had only provided enough money to cover the cover Kooyong to Hardey Road.
"However thanks to the support of the community and the Liberal-National Government pitching in a sizeable contribution, work has now commenced" he added.
Mr Irons said that while there may be some disruption for residents over the next couple of years, the end result would be worth it.
"The road works will no doubt cause delays but the outcome will transform the area.
"My office will be available to help constituents with any questions about the upgrade as we go through this process.
"I would like to thank the community for its support over the last three and a half years. We couldn’t have got to this point without them".