Marshall rail-line bridge opens to traffic

MOTORISTS will move much more freely this festive season, with the bridge over the Marshall rail line at Barwon Heads Road opening to traffic.

From Wednesday last week, car users begun to feel the benefits of more reliable journeys, with traffic moving freely after close to 200,000 hours on the bridge construction.

The 97-metre-long bridge has allowed for the removal of the level crossing at Marshall, creating one lane of traffic which will operate in each direction on the future southbound lanes which will continue to be worked in 2023.

Once completed, the connection will create four lanes of traffic and a shared walking and cycling path on the bridge.

Member for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman said it was exciting to officially open the 97-metre-bridge which is part of the overall $365 million Barwon Heads Road Upgrade.

“We’re getting on with delivering this major upgrade to Barwon Heads Road that will absolutely transform the way locals in Geelong and Armstrong Creek travel,” he said.

“Opening this bridge to traffic means locals travelling in and around Barwon Heads will no longer be stuck at a congested and dangerous level crossing and can get where they need to be sooner.”

The Barwon Heads Road Upgrade project has created more than 570 direct jobs and indirectly generated a further 1419 over the course of construction.

“Our crews have worked nearly 200,000 hours to deliver this greatly needed bridge over the rail line,” MRPV Program Director Tim Price said.

“We’re pleased to deliver this significant project milestone and forging ahead with the Barwon Heads Road Upgrade.”

The Barwon Heads Road Upgrade extends four kilometres from Settlement Road to Reserve Road and includes upgrades to intersections, traffic lights, walking and cycling tracks and the removal of level crossings.

It is expected to cater for up to 44,000 daily journeys by 2031.

The project is funded by the Australian and Andrews Government is expected to be completed at the end of 2023.