Waurn Ponds roads get major upgrade

A SIGNIFICANT upgrade to Sugargum Drive and Bodega Street near Waurn Ponds Station has been completed, enhancing infrastructure for both road users and pedestrians.

The $2.1 million project, funded entirely by the Australian Government’s Roads to Recovery program, introduced numerous improvements between Oakwood Crescent and Rossack Drive.

Federal Member for Corangamite Libby Coker said better infrastructure builds stronger communities and improves safety.

“This upgrade, right in front of the Waurn Ponds Train Station, is so important for our growing region,” Ms Coker said.

“There has been a significant increase in traffic on this road, and the upgrade will go a long way to ensuring infrastructure is now up to the task for those accessing the train station.”

The enhancements include road pavement rehabilitation, kerb and channel upgrades, reflective pavement markers, and line marking improvements.

The upgrades were necessitated by increasing traffic volumes in the area, with approximately 11,000 vehicles using Sugargum Drive and Bodega Street daily. Around 15 per cent of these vehicles are heavy trucks.

Mayor Trent Sullivan said federal assistance was important for local infrastructure projects.

“The Roads to Recovery program is helping the Council meet the demand for road upgrades,” Mr Sullivan said.

“We invest heavily in maintaining and improving our local roads, but as Geelong continues to grow, the assistance of the federal government for projects like this one makes a huge difference.”

“With Waurn Ponds Station now so heavily used, this project was definitely needed and we are happy it’s now complete.”

The City of Greater Geelong’s design, program delivery, and construction teams completed the project six weeks ahead of schedule.