Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians in Geelong are a step closer to safer and more reliable journeys with contracts awarded to upgrade Barwon Heads Road.
The project will be delivered concurrently through a trio of construction partners, providing more opportunities across the construction industry and creating around 500 local jobs and about 1,400 indirect jobs, which will be crucial to the regional recovery effort post-COVID-19.
Decmil, BMD Constructions and BildGroup will build the project, in partnership with Major Road Projects Victoria.
Over the next month, crews will continue road widening, boundary fencing, utility relocations and site establishment works, paving the way for major construction to begin in October.
The Barwon Heads Road Upgrade will add new lanes for approximately four kilometres between Settlement Road and Reserve Road, remove a dangerous level crossing at Marshall, and upgrade intersections at Settlement Road and Breakwater Road.
With up to 44,000 daily journeys expected on the road by 2031, this project will improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on Barwon Heads Road, while providing better connections to active and public transport modes.
New traffic signals will also be constructed at Crows Road, Barwarre Road, Marshalltown Road and Reserve Road.
As part of the upgrade, on-road cycling lanes and an off-road shared use pedestrian and cycling path will be built, improving safety for vulnerable road users and allowing better connections to the Waurn Ponds Trail, the South Barwon Reserve, Belmont Common and the Barwon River Precinct.
A new bridge over the Melbourne-Warrnambool rail line removes the dangerous level crossing at Marshall, improving safety and traffic flow.
The Barwon Heads Road Upgrade is being delivered through a new partnership approach to road building contracts, that means major projects move from paper to pavement sooner and more easily.
This approach was supported by the Australian Government's fast-tracking of the assessment and approval phases, to support the release of funding for this important project.
