Next Barwon Heads Road duplication guaranteed following Labor pledge

A SECOND stage of the Barwon Heads Road duplication has bi-partisan state support after Victorian Labor promised to spend $125 million on the project if it wins the state election.

The state branch would split costs 50-50 with their federal counterparts to duplicate the road from Reserve Road, Charlemont to the roundabout at Lower Duneed Road, Conewarre.

The Liberal Party also pledged $125 million for the project earlier in the campaign.

Local Labor election candidates said the investment would improve travel time and safety for local residents and tourists.

“We all want to spend more time at home with our families and stage two of the Barwon Heads Road duplication will ensure we can do exactly that,” Bellarine candidate Alison Marchant said.

“Armstrong Creek is a fast-growing community and this announcement will make travelling around safer, more reliable and quicker,” incumbent South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said.

State government modelling predicts that 44,000 cars will use Barwon Heads Road each day from 2031, which Labor ministers said highlighted the need for the road improvement.

“Families across Bellarine and South Barwon rely on Barwon Heads Road every day to go to work, take their kids to school and see their loved ones,” Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allen said.

Both major parties also promised money for the stage two project in the lead-up to the federal election earlier this year.

Federal Labor’s included its $125 million commitment in its first Federal Budget handed down last month.

The $363-million first stage of the duplication is expected to finish by the end of next year, when the road would have dual lanes in both directions from its start at Settlement Road, Belmont to Reserve Road.

It would also remove a level crossing at Marshall with a new bridge, include upgraded intersections and deliver new cycling and walking paths.