Labor pledges $318 million for Barwon Heads Road duplication

BARWON Heads Road is guaranteed a vital upgrade after the Labor government earlier this week pledged to invest $318 million into delivering quicker travel times and safer conditions.

A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will duplicate four kilometres of Barwon Heads Road between Settlement Road and Reserve Road, doubling the existing two lanes to four, as well as planning for duplication to Lower Duneed Road.

Intersections will be upgraded at Settlement Road and Breakwater Road, and new intersections will be built at Crows, Barwarre, Tannery and Reserve roads, helping traffic flow more smoothly and making the road safer.

Labor will also build a new bridge to raise Barwon Heads Road where it crosses the train line north of Marshall Station, removing this dangerous and congested level crossing and making it quicker and safer for local drivers to get where they need to go.

This busy road will also be safer for local pedestrians and cyclists, with the upgrade to include a new shared path with a safety barrier, as well as new street lighting, road signage and landscaping.

A re-elected Labor Government will start planning and pre-construction work in 2019, with major works starting in 2020 and the project to be finished by 2023.

Bellarine MP Lisa Neville said the road was a critical piece of infrastructure and that her party had been doing the planning to get it right.

Premier Daniel Andrews said anyone who used Barwon Heads Road would know how badly this massive upgrade was needed.

“This will make a real difference to both local families and tourists visiting our stunning beaches during the busy summer holidays,” Mr Andrews said.

Labor’s announcement comes after the Liberal Party pledged in August to begin works to duplicate Barwon Heads Road from 2020 if voted into government this November.

Liberal candidate for Bellarine Brian McKiterick said a Liberal Nationals Government would invest $290 million to duplicate Barwon Heads Road from Settlement Road through to Lower Duneed Road.

Mr McKiterick said that as part of this project, the level crossing at Marshall on the Barwon Heads Road would be grade separated with a road over rail solution.