By mid-2026, major works on the Racecourse Road Upgrade will be complete, with 2 lanes open in both directions all the way from Koo Wee Rup to Henry Street, upgraded intersections at Bald Hill Road and Campbell Street, and a network of new paths creating pedestrian and bicycle connections to the community. To reach this milestone, there will be disruptions to the way you travel throughout spring and summer.
What’s been happening
Throughout winter, we’ve been busy moving services out of the way of new lanes and paths. We’ve also been busy building the new northbound lanes on Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road and Racecourse Road. Traffic is now travelling on these new lanes between the Princes Freeway and Bald Hill Road, while we work behind barriers to replace the old road with new southbound lanes.
We’ve also made good progress to upgrade the western side of the Bald Hill Road intersection. We’ve removed the roundabout, and installed the new median, lanes and traffic signals which will form part of the upgraded intersection.
We’ve opened almost half a kilometre of new shared use path, which connects to the newly built 10km of path extending towards Koo Wee Rup. We’ll also extend the path network around Pakenham Station as part of the upgrade.
Upcoming works
In late September 2025, we will start works to improve flooding conditions around Pakenham Creek.
By replacing the existing culverts under Racecourse Road with larger culverts that can pass more water during major flood events, we will reduce the risk and impact of flooding for many local residents and the surrounding road network.
In early October, we will finish works on the western side of the Bald Hill Road intersection and start upgrading the eastern side. When the upgraded intersection opens in February 2026, traffic lights will be on and lanes will be open in all directions.
We will continue working on the southbound lanes on Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road between Bald Hill Road and Peet Street until late 2025.
The timing and duration of these works is dependent on weather and ground conditions, so make sure you subscribe for updates.
Racecourse and Bald Hill roads closure detours
Changes to the way you travel
As we work to bring you new lanes and paths by mid-2026, there will be major disruptions to travel in Pakenham. We’ll also use new lanes to temporarily maintain traffic in both directions, so keep an eye out for changed traffic conditions.
Racecourse Road
Racecourse Road will be closed between Henry Street and Cameron Way from late September to late 2025 while we upgrade the culverts on Pakenham Creek. A pedestrian detour will also be in place during this time.
Weekend closures
Over the first 2 weekends of October, Bald Hill Road, Racecourse Road and Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road will be closed at times from 7pm, Friday to 5am, Monday:
- Racecourse Road closed in both directions between Cameron Way and Bald Hill Road over each weekend
- Bald Hill Road closed in both directions between Webster Way and O’Sullivan Street at night
- Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road between Peet Street and Bald Hill Road at times.
Local access to Cardinia Waters will continue to be provided via Henry Street during this time.
Bald Hill Road
From the morning of October 6, we’ll reopen Bald Hill Road on the western side of the Racecourse Road intersection to left turn in and out only. We’ll then close Bald Hill Road at the intersection on the eastern side until February 2026.
To access businesses on the eastern side of the intersection, right turns as well as left turns will be available for all vehicles into Peet Street from Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road.
