Work is progressing on Stage 2 of the Barwon Heads Road Upgrade in Victoria, with FCC Construction Australia and BildGroup awarded the contract to deliver the first major package of works on the $318 million project.
The scope includes duplicating 3.5 km of road between Reserve Road in Charlemont and Lake Road in Armstrong Creek.
Key upgrades will target traffic bottlenecks and safety risks, including intersection works at Warralily Boulevard, Central Boulevard, and Precinct Road. Signalised crossings will be installed at Newport Drive, Boundary Road, Build Street, and Harriot Road North.
Dedicated on-road cycling lanes, shared walking and cycling paths, and a new pedestrian and cyclist bridge over Armstrong Creek are also planned. A widening of the existing Armstrong Creek bridge will form part of the works led by FCC and BildGroup.
The project aims to ease congestion for the estimated 35,000 daily users of the corridor, while supporting the rapid urban growth in Armstrong Creek and the Bellarine region.
Utility relocations and site establishment are already underway, with main construction works expected to begin in the coming weeks.
Stage 2 builds on the completed first stage, which duplicated four kilometres of Barwon Heads Road and delivered new active transport infrastructure.
Once fully complete, the upgrade will stretch from Reserve Road to Lower Duneed Road, with final completion targeted for late 2028.
The Federal Government recently committed an extra $68.2 million in the 2024–25 Federal Budget, bringing its total investment to $193 million. The proponents say this ensures full funding for the second stage.
“This important project needs to be delivered in its entirety for the Bellarine community and the many visitors who use it and the adjoining roads,” said Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King.
Victorian Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams said: “Greater Geelong is one of the fastest-growing places in regional Victoria, which is why we’re delivering this vital project to improve journeys for the people who live and work here.”
