Ring Road closure timeline uncertain

ALTHOUGH works were expected to begin in February, the Ring Road has not yet been closed off to traffic at the train line between Bartlett Manufacturing and Mars Wrigley.

The road closure is planned to allow for an Intermodal Freight Hub which will be designed for long trains delivering and receiving goods for transportation, and cater to the Ballarat West Employment Zone.

Works have, however, begun on a separate Ring Road project just south of the train line to construct a roundabout at Gregory Street West.

Although the freight hub works were originally planned to start last month, City of Ballarat director infrastructure and environment Bridget Wetherall said the two projects will run to “different timelines.”

“The Ring Road and Gregory Street West roundabout construction and the future proposed discontinuance of Ring Road project are separate roadworks projects,” she said.

“The City of Ballarat is working closely with Development Victoria to facilitate the discontinuing of the Ring Road as part of planning for the Intermodal Freight Hub. A start date for the project is yet to be finalised.

“Works have already started to construct the $1.1 million roundabout at the intersection of Ring Road and Gregory Street West, which is expected to be completed by the end of May.

“The City of Ballarat has notified businesses on Ring Road about the changes and will continue to engage with them and work with them into the future.

“The process to discontinue Ring Road will be required to follow the normal statutory process for a road closure.”

About $565,000 worth of Federal Government Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program funding is going towards the roundabout and replacement off the crossroad, alongside $535,000 of City cash.