City to close Ring Road permanently

BALLARAT’s Ring Road is to be permanently cut off at the train line from next year.

The road will be closed to allow for an upcoming freight centre within the Ballarat West Employment Zone, and works are expected to begin in February.

“The City of Ballarat will close a section of Ring Road as part of planning for the Intermodal Freight Hub,” said City of Ballarat director of infrastructure and environment Bridget Wetherall.

“Once constructed, the Intermodal Freight Hub will cater to long freight trains delivering and receiving goods for transportation.

“Without the Ring Road discontinuance, freight trains entering and exiting the freight hub would block the road, leading to lengthy delays and congestion for motorists.

“The process to discontinue Ring Road will commence in February 2023, through the normal statutory process for a road closure.”

Ms Wetherall said initial works are underway on the Intermodal Freight Hub site at the Ballarat West Employment Zone, and that the Ring Road closure process comes under an agreement between the City of Ballarat, Regional Development Victoria, and Victorian Rail Track Corporation.

The Ballarat Intermodal Freight Hub is a $23.5 million project, which is being delivered by the State and Federal governments.

The State Government has provided $14.4 million, and $9.1 million has been allocated by the Federal Government.

“At the 25 March 2015 City of Ballarat council meeting, councillors resolved to agree to the future closure of the Ring Road railway level crossing in line with the construction of Link Road,” Ms Wetherall said.

Ring Road runs between Sturt Street in Alfredton and the west end of Pioneer Park in Wendouree.