It’s all go for key traffic revamp

BUILDERS have been appointed for the $365m Barwon Heads Rd duplication.

Decmil, BMD Constructions and BildGroup will build the project, in partnership with Major Road Projects Victoria.

Major construction is due to begin next month as crews move utility pipelines and connections and complete site preparation works this month.

The Barwon Heads Rd upgrade will add two lanes for about 4km between Settlement Rd, Belmont, and Reserve Rd,

Marshall, removing a level crossing at Marshall and upgrading intersections on Settlement and Breakwater roads.

New traffic signals will also be installed on Crows, Barwarre, Marshalltown and Reserve roads.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said the upgrade would improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on Barwon Heads Rd.

“By boosting capacity and removing a key traffic bottleneck, this upgrade will ensure the thousands of people who rely on Barwon Heads Rd every day get to where they need to go sooner and safer,” Mr Joyce said.

State Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said the upgrade would ensure Barwon Heads Rd could cater for the up to 44,000 daily journeys expected on the road by 2031.

“Greater Geelong has the largest population growth in regional

Victoria, which is why we’re taking action to deliver not only this much-needed upgrade but a suite of Big Build projects in the region to provide better journeys for the people who live and work here,” Ms Allan said.

The project is expected to create about 500 local jobs.