Sunbury Road will be safer and more reliable with improved access between the existing and emerging town centres, as construction gets underway on a new 57-metre road bridge across the Jacksons Creek.
Piling for the new road bridge foundations commenced in October and will be carried out through to the end of the year.
This marks a major ramping up of major widening works for Sunbury Road, with approximately 14 piles to be bored at a depth of 10 metres to support the new bridge, which will span 57-meters in length.
The local community has strongly advocated for the new bridge, which will be open by the end of 2025. Works on the existing bridge, which was built in the 1970s, will commence from 2023.
The new bridge will help improve safety along Sunbury Road by removing a known pinch point. Currently motorists travelling in either direction merge from 2 lanes into 1. The new bridge will provide a safer and more direct route for local westbound traffic, and include new walking and cycling paths for safer access to Sunbury Square, nearby schools, Jacksons Creek and surrounding suburbs.
During these works, there may be occasional lane closures. These will be advertised well in advance, with motorists being encouraged to allow more time for their journey. One lane in each direction will remain open to keep traffic moving. Detours will ensure safe walking and cycling in the area.
Further southeast along Sunbury Road in October, the project’s first layers of asphalt will be laid over about 3 kilometres between Bulla-Diggers Rest Road/Loemans Road and Shepherds Lane, to create a smooth and reliable road surface.
Most of the works will be completed during the day behind barriers to minimise impact to drivers.
Sunbury Road will be widened from 2 to 4 lanes Powlett Street and Bulla-Diggers Rest Road/Loemans Road, with traffic flow to be improved during peak times thanks to new traffic lights that will replace roundabouts at Francis Boulevard and Lancefield Road. As part of the upgrade, permanent road safety barriers will be installed and shared user paths upgraded, improving safety for local cyclists, pedestrians and families.
The Sunbury Road Upgrade is expected to be completed by 2025.