The Western Highway (A8) is being progressively upgraded as a four-lane divided highway between Ballarat and Stawell.
As the principal road link between Melbourne and Adelaide, the Western Highway serves interstate trade between Victoria and South Australia and is the key transport corridor through Victoria’s western district, supporting farming, grain production, regional tourism and a range of manufacturing and service activities.
Currently more than 5500 vehicles travel the highway west of Ballarat each day including 1500 trucks. This traffic is expected to double by 2025.
Works on an initial 8km section between Ballarat and Burrumbeet commenced in April 2010 and will be completed in 2012. Planning of future works is underway for the remaining section of highway between Burrumbeet and Stawell which will be completed and opened in stages, subject to future funding.
To date $505 million has been committed for the Western Highway upgrade by the Victorian Government and the Australian Government as part of the Nation Building Program.
View map - Ballarat to Stawell corridor [JPG, 600KB]
Highway improvements for the various sections between Ballarat and Stawell will involve:
- constructing two new traffic lanes adjacent to the existing highway, separated by a central median
- converting the existing highway carriageway to carry two traffic lanes in the same direction
- constructing sections of new four-lane divided highway on a new alignment
In addition to separating the traffic lanes, highway safety will be improved with sealed road shoulders, safety barriers, protected turning lanes, intersection improvements, and service lanes for local access at some locations.
Town bypasses of Beaufort and Ararat are not included in the current proposals.
Beyond Stawell to the Victorian border, ongoing Western Highway improvements will continue with shoulder sealing works, new passing lanes and road surface improvements.
Highway improvements between Ballarat and Stawell will:
- improve road safety
- enhance road freight efficiency
- reduce travel time and costs
- provide better access to local facilities
- improved roadside facilities
Route investigations, planning, environmental studies and community consultation for various sections is continuing. Construction staging and works timing will be confirmed when road alignments are finalised and as funding is confirmed.
Works are being planned and constructed in three sections:
Ballarat to BeaufortBeaufort to Ararat
Ararat to Stawell
VicRoads is committed to protecting and enhancing the natural environment and considering cultural heritage through responsible planning of the Western Highway duplication.
Detailed assessments and studies are being undertaken for each section and where required, actions will be taken to avoid, minimise, or mitigate potential environmental impacts of works and traffic.
Environment Effects Statements are being prepared for the project sections between Beaufort and Stawell.
Community members, stakeholders and interested groups are encouraged to participate in the planning of the Western Highway duplication with opportunities for consultation through public forums, and as part of the Environment Effects Statement (EES) process .
Current information on planning and consultation is available under the project sections:
Ballarat to BeaufortBeaufort to Ararat
Ararat to Stawell
For more information, or to subscribe to the project mailing list please contact VicRoads Western Highway Project Office as detailed below:
Phone: 1300 779 642
Email: whp@roads.vic.gov.au
Write to: The Project Director - VicRoads Western Highway Project,
PO Box 148, Wendouree, Vic 3355
Visit: VicRoads Western Highway Project Office - 237 Ring Road, Wendouree