A section of Barwon Heads Road has opened before the long weekend to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion for motorists travelling through Geelong.
Two-kilometres of the Barwon Heads Road Upgrade project have reopened for the Labour Day long weekend between Marshall and Charlemont with extra lanes and new traffic lights in operation.
Major Road Projects Victoria Program Director Tim Price said the additional lanes provided a timely boost to safety and traffic flow ahead of the weekend’s expected influx of holidaymakers.
“We’re pleased this upgraded 2km of Barwon Heads Road will be ready in time for the Labour Day long-weekend,” he said.
“We thank motorists, residents and business owners for their ongoing patience as we upgrade Barwon Heads Road.”
The improved section of Barwon Heads Road is forecast to cater for close to 44,000 daily journeys by 2031.
The project duplicates four-kilometres of lanes between Charlemont and Settlement Road at Belmont.
Upgrading the Marshalltown and Reserve Road intersections helped replace previously congested roundabouts with the remaining two-kilometers of the $365-million project to be completed later this year.
Other improvements within the project include the replacement of a level crossing with a bridge over the Marshall rail line, additional intersection upgrades at Crows and Barwarre roads, and new shared-use paths for pedestrians and cyclists.
The project’s construction began in late 2021, and work on the Business Case for a potential second stage of the upgrade between Reserve and Lower Duneed roads is expected to be completed later this year.
