Major works to widen Sunbury Road from 2 to 4 through lane as part of the Sunbury Road Upgrade project is shifting up a gear this summer, taking the community another step closer towards safer and more reliable journeys.
Crews are moving into a new phase of construction which will see a major traffic switch on Sunbury Road to create a new worksite on the southern side of this important throughfare. Shifting traffic to different sides of the road allows work to take place on each part of the arterial without having to close the road for extended periods of time.
During this next phase, motorists travelling in both directions will be moved onto approximately 3 kilometres of newly constructed road, between Bulla-Diggers Rest Road/Loemans Road roundabout and Shepherds Lane. By shifting traffic in this way, crews will create a new work zone to start rehabilitating the Sunbury bound lanes while keeping traffic moving on the newly constructed pavement. This phase begins in late December and will require some overnight closures.
Drivers will notice changes such as travelling on a new alignment, fresh pavement, and of course a brand-new work zone on the southern side of Sunbury Road for the rehabilitation of the existing road. One lane in each direction will be maintained along the full length of works and reduced speed limits will be implemented to ensure worker safety.
The key construction activities that will be done during this time includes realigning all the barriers to protect the new construction zone and placing new line marking to delineate the new traffic lanes. We're encouraging drivers to slow down and drive safely through construction zones - even though sometimes you might not be able to see workers behind the barriers, they’re still there! Please observe changed traffic arrangements, including speed reductions to 40km/h. These traffic arrangements will be in place until the middle of next year.
Throughout January into early February, Lancefield Road will be shut as part of works to build a better Sunbury Road. Temporary traffic lights are replacing the roundabout at the Lancefield Road intersection to allow the next stage of construction to begin, ultimately allowing traffic to flow more smoothly to and from the existing Sunbury town centre and Goonawarra. These signals will become fully operational later in 2023, once widening of Sunbury Road is complete.
Workers are also forging ahead on the new Jacksons Creek bridge – with the bridge piling works to be completed next month, in preparation for the installation of concrete beams that will support the new bridge. Once complete, this vital upgrade will improve traffic flow, connect existing and emerging communities to the Sunbury town centre and accommodate for future residential and commercial growth along Sunbury Road.
The Sunbury Road Upgrade is expected to be completed by 2025.