Early works starting
From Tuesday 17 February to early April, 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
Night closure of Watson Street
We’ll close Watson Street between Wellington Street and Northern Highway/High Street overnight at times from Thursday 19 March to mid-April between 7:30pm and 5:30am. Please detour via Queen, Wellington and Duke streets.
Delays of up to 5 minutes are expected. Please allow extra time for your journey and follow signs and directions from traffic controllers.
Lane closures and traffic holds on Northern Highway and Watson Street
We’ll implement short-term lane closures and traffic holds of up to 10 minutes, at times, on Northern Highway and Watson Street near the intersection from Monday 2 March to mid-April:
- Sunday to Thursday: 7:30pm and 5:30am
- Friday and Saturday: 7:30pm to 8am
- Monday to Friday: 9:30am to 3:30pm
- Saturday: 7am to 2.30pm.
Delays of up to 10 minutes are expected. Please allow extra time for your journey and follow signs and directions traffic controller directions.
Traffic changes include:
- reduced speed limits to 40km/h on Northern Highway and Watson Street near the intersection
- short-term parking, footpath and pedestrian crossing closures
- Northern Highway/High Street temporary service lane closure at times.
We’ll maintain access to homes, shops and for emergency service vehicles. Detour signage will be in place to guide pedestrians through the area.
Footpath closure and speed reduction on Wellington Street
We'll close sections of the Wellington Street footpath near Watson Street from Tuesday 17 February to mid-2027.
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 vibrations. We’ll monitor impacts to keep them to a minimum.
These works are weather dependent. If we need to re-schedule, we’ll keep you updated via our on-road messaging.