Speed limits have been cut to 40km/h along part of the Western Highway in Bacchus Marsh as important upgrades to the Lerderderg River bridges begin.
A 40 km/h speed limit will be in place for traffic in both directions until late February to provide a safe environment for the construction of crossovers between the Melbourne and Ballarat lanes.
Once they are completed in late February, the Melbourne-bound bridge will be closed and drivers will cross the river on the Ballarat-bound bridge.
There will be two lanes of Melbourne-bound traffic and one lane of Ballarat-bound traffic using the bridge and a 60km/h speed limit will be in place. In early April, the situation will be reversed, with the Ballarat-bound bridge closed and two lanes of Melbourne-bound traffic and one lane of Ballarat-bound traffic using the Melbourne-bound bridge.
The upgrades are expected to be completed by late May. VicRoads has warned that drivers can expect minor delays until then.
VicRoads acting regional director Chris Dunlop said the safety of road users and construction workers remained the top priority.
“Closing the bridges one at a time and moving traffic over to the other bridge means drivers will be well clear of the roadworks, allowing for work to be completed quicker and safer.
“We only expect minor delays that last a matter of minutes, as the slower speed limits are only in place for a short stretch of road.”
Upgrading the Lerderderg River bridges forms part of VicRoads’ strategy to improve freight productivity by catering for high-performance freight vehicles accessing the Port of Melbourne from regional Victoria.
The Western Freeway is the country’s second busiest freight route, with an average of 33,000 vehicles using this section of freeway daily. Freight vehicles make up 12 per cent of this traffic.
The upgrade is part of the $35.8 million Stronger Country Bridges Program, which is aimed at bridges along major regional freight corridors.
Olivia Shying, Ballarat Courier
