An unsealed section of Ballarto Road - which has seen four injury collisions in the three-year period to the end of 2021 - will be temporarily closed to through traffic from this November while preparations to construct the sealed road are undertaken.
The temporary closure will occur on an approximate 100 metre section of Ballarto Road located east of Nelson Road and south of the Casey Fields sporting complex.
As the surrounding residential estates have developed, traffic volumes, including heavy construction vehicles and motorists accessing new residential neighbourhoods, have drastically increased which has led to faster degradation of the road's surface.
In keeping with the existing planning permit conditions, residents of the new residential estates north of Ballarto Road, including Summerland, Allenvale, Aurum, Pavilion, Belmond on Clyde and Ortus among others, will continue to access their homes via the existing sealed road network and not via Ballarto Road.
City of Casey Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff PSM said that despite Council's continued efforts to maintain the road at an appropriate condition, its maintenance needs have now become unsustainable.
"This section of Ballarto Road was not designed to carry the load of traffic it currently sees each day, which has quite obviously taken its toll on the road surface and in-turn significantly increased maintenance needs.
"Temporarily closing the road while the detailed designs for the road's construction are undertaken will help to decrease safety concerns for motorists using the unsealed road.
"Council has already begun the detailed designs for the road's construction, as identified in the Cranbourne East and Casey Fields South Residential Precinct Structure Plans, and is taking into consideration the realignment of services and appropriate drainage in cooperation with landowners to the south of Ballarto Road.
"The current project timeline completes Ballarto Road in stages up until 2026/27," said Ms Duff.
To support the changed road conditions, Council will also seek approval from the Department of Transport to reduce the speed limit along Ballarto Road from 80km to 60km per hour between South Gippsland Highway and Clyde - Five Ways Road.
Access to properties and businesses on Ballarto Road either side of the closure will be maintained via South Gippsland Highway and Clyde - Five Ways Road.
