Early works starting
From Tuesday 17 February to late March, you’ll notice crews working along parts of Watson Street and Northern Highway.
These works will include:
- pavement, geotechnical and environmental investigations
- laying temporary pavement to make room for safe work areas
- installing drainage
- setting up environmental protection zones, pruning and removing vegetation
- installing temporary safety barriers and fencing.
We’ll work both day and night during this time to minimise impacts on traffic and the community. Day works will occur between 7am and 6pm, Monday to Friday and on Saturdays between 7am and 2.30pm. Nightworks will occur from 7pm.
Placing temporary pavement in sections around the intersection allows us to move traffic lanes slightly and keep 1 lane open in each direction so traffic can continue to flow on Northern Highway, while we upgrade the intersection.
Once we have installed temporary fencing, we will start preparing the ground for construction. This will include setting up environmental protection zones, pruning and where necessary removing trees and vegetation within the project area on Watson Street and Northern Highway.
To support essential road improvements, 1 mature Avenue of Honour tree, already scheduled for replacement due to poor condition, will be respectfully removed. A second juvenile tree will be carefully translocated to maintain the Avenue of Honour’s alignment and long-term viability. We’ve been working closely with the Council and the local RSL, who are the guardians of the Avenue of Honour, in relation to these changes.
What to expect
Daytime lane closures and speed reduction
We'll close lanes and reduce speeds to 40km/h at the intersection, at times from Tuesday 17 February to late March:
- Monday to Friday: 9.30am to 3.30pm
- Saturday: 7am to 2.30pm.
Overnight lane closures and speed reductions
We'll close lanes and reduce speeds to 40km/h at the intersection, at times from Monday 2 March to late March:
- Sunday to Thursday: 7pm to 5.30am
- Friday and Saturday: 7pm to 8am.
Traffic controllers, temporary traffic lights and on road signage will be in place to guide motorists through the area.
Delays of up to 10 minutes are expected during these works, so please allow extra time for your journey and follow signs and traffic controller directions.
Footpath closure
We'll close sections of the footpath and intersection pedestrian crossings at times from Tuesday 17 February to late March, 9.30am to 3.30pm and 7pm to 5.30am.
Detour signage will be in place to guide pedestrians through the area.
Wellington Street
Footpath closure
We'll close sections of the Wellington Street footpath near Watson Street from Tuesday 17 February to mid 2027.
Speed reduction
Speeds will be reduced to 40 km/h on Wellington Street in both directions at Watson Street from Tuesday 17 February to mid 2027.
These works are expected to generate some noise, dust, and vibration. We’ll monitor these impacts to ensure they are kept to a minimum.
These works are weather dependent. If we’re unable to complete these works for any reason, we’ll reschedule them for the next available time.
Site compound set up
From 2 February to mid-March, we’ll set up a temporary site compound on the vacant land on the corner of Watson Street and Northern Highway, next to the United petrol station.
This includes us installing:
- fencing to keep the area and community safe
- driveways for vehicle access
- underground utilities, like power and water
- crushed rock for a stable base
- portable buildings for the site office and staff facilities.
The site office will remain in place for the duration of the upgrade. Once the upgrade is complete, we’ll remove all facilities and return the area to its original condition.
To build the site compound, we’ll work Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm and some Saturdays between 7am and 1pm. There may be times when we need to work outside of these hours. We’ll let you know ahead of time if you’ll be affected.
Traffic changes will include:
- reduced speed limits
- short-term road, parking and footpath closures
- brief traffic holds to safely move equipment, with delays of up to 5 minutes at times.