Bacchus Marsh and Darley residents have finally walked the walk after years of planning and construction of Halletts Way.
With the northern extension to Halletts Way finally completed, dozens of people last Thursday walked from Ramsay Crescent to Links Road before it was opened to drivers.
The 750-metre extension, which is part one of one of the biggest road and infrastructure projects in the towns, was carried out jointly by Moorabool council, Melbourne Water and developers Telford Park and Oupan.
Council infrastructure manager Phil Jeffrey said that as well as providing another route to Bacchus Marsh for Darley residents, the project would help alleviate traffic congestion in Bacchus Marsh.
“There is provision in these plans for a future retarding basin that will help flood-proof residents living downstream of this area,” he said.
“And a shared-use path has been constructed adjacent to the road.
“Ultimately, there are plans to have a shared path [along] the entire length of Halletts Way.”
The cost of the extension, from Ramsay Crescent to Links Road, was about $1.5 million, with council contributing $500,000.
Moorabool council chief executive Rob Croxford said the council was seeking expressions of interests for construction of the southern extension of Halletts Way.
“The other component of the overall Western Link Road is east-facing freeway ramps at Halletts Way and an associated pedestrian bridge,” Mr Croxford said. “This project was announced by the state government and council is awaiting confirmation of a commencement date for this project.”
