Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians in Geelong are a step closer to safer and more reliable journeys with contracts awarded to deliver the much-needed Barwon Heads Road Upgrade.
The project will be delivered concurrently through a trio of construction partners, including
- Decmil
- BMD Constructions
- BildGroup.
The upgrade is expected to create around 500 local jobs and about 1400 indirect jobs throughout construction – crucial to the regional recovery effort post-COVID-19.
Over the next month, crews will continue road widening, boundary fencing, utility relocations and site establishment works, paving the way for major construction to begin in October.
The Barwon Heads Road Upgrade will add new lanes for 4 kilometres between Settlement Road and Reserve Road, remove a dangerous level crossing at Marshall, and upgrade intersections at Settlement Road and Breakwater Road. New traffic signals will also be constructed at Crows Road, Barwarre Road, Marshalltown Road and Reserve Road.
The upgrade will improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on Barwon Heads Road – a crucial arterial link between Geelong, the Bellarine and the growing Armstrong Creek residential precinct.
As part of the upgrade, on-road cycling lanes and an off-road shared use pedestrian and cycling path will also be built, improving safety for vulnerable road users and allowing better connections to the Waurn Ponds Trail, the South Barwon Reserve, Belmont Common and the Barwon River Precinct. A new bridge over the Melbourne-Warrnambool rail line removes the dangerous level crossing at Marshall, improving safety and traffic flow.
The project is being delivered through a new partnership approach to road building contracts, that means major projects move from paper to pavement sooner and more easily.
The Barwon Heads Road Upgrade is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian governments.
The project is expected to be completed in late 2023.