Contracts locked in for road’s second stage

CONTRACTS have been locked in for the second stage of the Barwon Heads Road upgrade, with the Australian and Victorian governments announcing on Wednesday this week that FCC Construction Australia and BildGroup will deliver the first part of the $318 million works.

Major construction will begin in the coming weeks.

The first part of Stage 2, to be delivered by the two construction partners, will involve the addition of new lanes along the 3.5km stretch between Reserve Road in Charlemont and Lake Road in Armstrong Creek.

The project will also upgrade key intersections at Warralily Boulevard, Central Boulevard and Precinct Road, install traffic lights at Newport Drive and Boundary Road, and build signalised pedestrian crossings near Build Street and the northern end of Harriot Road.

New shared walking and cycling paths and dedicated cycling lanes to improve safety and traffic flow will also be delivered as part of the upgrade.

This year’s federal budget had an extra $68.2 million towards the project, bringing the total commitment to $193 million. This will fully deliver the works, including the next section of the upgrade between Lake Road and Lower Duneed Road.

Over the past month, crews have been undertaking utility relocations and site office works.

The first stage of the Barwon Heads Road upgrade was completed in 2023, duplicating 4km of Barwon Heads Road and delivering 4km of new shared walking and cycling paths, along with dedicated on-road cycling lanes.

Stage 2 (Reserve Road to Lower Duneed Road) is expected to be completed in late 2028.

“This important project needs to be delivered in its entirety for the Bellarine community and the many visitors who use it and the adjoining roads,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said.

Our additional commitment this year will ensure this happens and will mean the thousands of people who rely on Barwon Heads Road every day get to where they need to go sooner and safer.”

Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams said the City of Greater Geelong was one of the fastest-growing places in regional Victoria, which explained the need for the “vital project to improve journeys for the people who live and work here”.