The Yarra Glen Truck Bypass is a $15 million project to provide a new 1.4km road link east of the Yarra Glen township as an alternative route to divert truck traffic away from the town centre.
The signed bypass route will extend from the Melba Highway(Bell Street)/Healesville-Yarra Glen Road intersection in the south via Healesville-Yarra Glen Road, then run north on the new road link which reconnects with the Melba Highway at Old Healesville Road.
Intersection improvements, route signing and the new road two-way road link will encourage through traffic away from the town centre, resulting in less congestion in Bell Street, reduced traffic delays and safer conditions for pedestrians, shoppers and visitors to Yarra Glen.
Works are now underway with the project scheduled for completion by late 2010.
The project is jointly funded with $9 million from the State Government, $5.5 millon from the Australian Government and $500,000 from the Shire of Yarra Ranges.
News Release - Yarra Glen Truck Bypass works underway - 9 Sept 2009
- a new 1.4 kilometre two-way road (one lane in each direction) link
- a roundabout at the Bell Street/Healesville-Yarra Glen Road intersection
- roundabouts at the bypass connections with Healesville-Yarra Glen Road and the Old Healesville Road/Melba Highway.
- safer traffic conditions through the town centre
- improved amenity for residents, shoppers and visitors to Yarra Glen
- less traffic delays for trucks and through traffic on the Melba Highway
- reduced traffic congestion through the township during peak recreational periods.
VicRoads contractor for the new link between Healesville-Yarra Glen Road and Melba Highway/Old Healesville Road is BMD Constructions Pty Ltd. Works on this section commenced in September 2009 with earthworks now underway.
Temporary closure of Old Healesville Road at Melba Highway
To provide a safe work and traffic environment and to help fast-track construction, Old Healesville Road at the Melba Highway intersection is closed until late 2009. Alternative routes for travel between Old Healesville Road and the Melba Highway are signed and shown on the attached detour route map. VicRoads apologises for any inconvenience while this intersection closure is in place.
Bell Street roundabout
The Melba Highway (Bell Street)/Healesville-Yarra Glen Road roundabout works will be done as a separate contract. Works at this site will start in mid 2010 and be completed by late 2010.
The roundabout layout showing access to Bell Street/Melba Highway and Healesville-Yarra Glen Road is shown on the attached Bell Street roundabout map.
King Street/Bell Street intersection
Due to safety issues with the proximity of King Street to the new Bell Street roundabout, engineers had to consider the impact of the roundabout on traffic entering/exiting King Street.
Community feedback was considered in preparing the final layout and VicRoads original proposal to ban right-turns from King Street has been reviewed. Cars and trucks will now be able to turn right out of King Street at the roundabout.
Right-turns directly into King Street from Bell Street will not be allowed with the changes. South-bound traffic on Bell Street will need to enter the roundabout and turn left into King Street.
VicRoads is committed to working with the Shire of Yarra Ranges, other government agencies and the community to ensure that environmental issues are addressed in planning and constructing the new road. An Environmental Management Plan has been developed and implemented.
Project information will be advertised in local newspapers, letter-dropped and distributed to those who have signed up for project updates.
- Email the project team at eastern_projects@roads.vic.gov.au
- Call the VicRoads Project Office (03) 9872 7000
- Write to the Project Director, VicRoads Eastern Projects,12/613 Maroondah Highway
Mitcham 3132