Presented by Robert Clark MP		www.robertclark.net

November start for Geelong freeway

Work to upgrade the Geelong Road will commence in November and a 60km freeway between Geelong and Melbourne should be completed within three years.

The State Government has previously committed $118.5 million to the project.

The Premier said that the State Government was not prepared to wait until the Federal Government commits funding, so that plans are being drawn up, a project office is being established, and the first of four major construction contracts would be let in the next few months.

There will be three lanes in each direction from Geelong to Werribee, and four lanes each way from Werribee to Melbourne.

The works will commence at the Geelong end and will include redevelopment of the Corio Interchange.

Landscaping and noise fencing will be an important component of the project design to create a new and interesting journey for highway travellers that will help combat the high number of fatigue-related accidents that occur along the route.

The road will be fully divided with emergency lanes and central median barriers to prevent accidents caused when vehicles lose control and can drift across into oncoming traffic.

The Federation Bike Trail will also be developed between Melbourne and Werribee as part of the project to take cyclists off the freeway and along a 23km dedicated route.

VicRoads will soon open a new project office at Hoppers Crossing to manage the project.

Works will be planned to ensure traffic impacts are kept to a minimum, and to lessen the impact on events and activities depending on the transport access Geelong Road provides.

A publicity and communications program will be implemented to keep stakeholders and highway users informed of construction progress and, to assist them in planning trips and activities.

(News Release, Office of the Premier, August 12, 1999)