The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) will begin major proactive maintenance works on Pyrites Creek Bridges at Anthony’s Cutting on the Western Freeway on February 13.
The works will focus on the structural supports and road surface of the eastbound and westbound bridges.
During the works, the freeway will remain open to light and heavy vehicles, with traffic management and reduced speeds in place.
There will be bridge closures for up to five months from late March.
During the first of these closures, two westbound lanes of traffic will be maintained on the freeway, with one eastbound lane available to traffic.
As works shift to the westbound lanes, the opposite will apply, with two lanes of eastbound traffic maintained and a single lane of westbound traffic available.
All over-sized and over-mass vehicles more than 2.55 metres wide will be detoured on the Old Western Highway. The project is expected to take up to six months and be completed by mid-2024, weather permitting.
Grampians and Barwon South West DTP executive director, Michael Bailey said the works were essential for the long-term future of the bridges.
“We’re being proactive in our improvement works on the Pyrites Creek Bridges, to ensure the strength of the bridges for years to come,” he said.
“As western Victoria continues to grow, so too do traffic and freight volumes using the Western Freeway – these works will ensure that these structures can cater to those increased volumes.”
Since the bridges were built in 2012, higher-than-expected movement has been identified as part of the Department’s routine inspections.
By carrying out proactive maintenance now, we can ensure the bridge is safe for both current and increased volumes of traffic in the future.
Mr Bailey urged drivers to plan ahead for their journeys.
“We would like to thank the local community for their patience while we undertake these important works. We would also like to remind drivers to slow down for our road workers,” he said.
The Western Freeway is a key freight route for agricultural industries to get their goods to market, as well as an important connection for commuters to jobs and services in Melbourne and Ballarat.
20,000 vehicles use this stretch of the Freeway every day including 2,900 heavy vehicles.
