Motorists travelling through Geelong are benefitting from improved traffic flow and reduced congestion thanks to important milestones recently achieved on the Barwon Heads Road Upgrade.
We've opened new northbound lanes between Barwarre and Crows roads, creating extra capacity for morning peak traffic heading into Geelong. While traffic management remains in place until works are completed, the newly opened section means drivers now have 2 lanes into Geelong all the way from Barwarre Road to Settlement Road at Belmont.
In a further boost to road safety and improved travel times, new traffic lights also began operating as part of intersection upgrades at Crows and Barwarre roads. Data shows that traffic lights at intersections help maintain traffic movement and provide consistent travel times as vehicle numbers increase. They also create gaps in traffic to make entering from side roads easier and safer.
The Crows Road intersection upgrade also benefits local businesses, offering easier, safer and more-reliable access to and from Barwon Heads Road for customers, suppliers and staff.
The opening of the northbound lanes and intersections follows the recent completion of a new walking and cycling path under the Waurn Ponds Creek Bridge. As well as forming a critical link in the new Barwon Heads Road shared-use path, it also allows Waurn Ponds Trail to safely travel under Barwon Heads Road.
The path’s inclusion in the project has been a big win for the local community, which has long campaigned for an easier, safer connection between South Barwon Reserve and the west side of Barwon Heads Road.
The $365 million Barwon Heads Road Upgrade is delivering 4km of new traffic lanes and shared-use paths between Belmont and Charlemont. Other improvements include intersections upgrades and the replacement of a level crossing with a bridge over the rail line at Marshall.
We expect to complete the Barwon Heads Road Upgrade later this year.