The Geelong Ring Road will officially open to Waurn Ponds on Sunday 14 June 2009, six months early, with a community walk and celebrations (subject to weather).
Families will be able to walk on the new Ring Road from 10am. Celebrations will include a parade of historic Ford vehicles, with face painting, jumping castles and roving musicians providing entertainment.
People coming to the event are asked to park at the Waurn Ponds Plaza off Rossack Drive (Melway 465 A6).
Recent favourable weather and the use of road surface materials less vulnerable to cold weather, together with the impressive work-rate of contractor Abigroup, has enabled the project to be completed ahead of schedule.
Construction is now underway to provide a 2.5 km extension and direct connection from the Geelong Ring Road to Anglesea Road, via a bridge spanning the Princes Highway at Waurn Ponds. VicRoads contractor Fulton Hogan has commenced work with traffic conditions on the Princes Highway, Pigdons Road and Anglesea Road changed substantially. This section is scheduled for completion in late 2010.
In March 2009 a report on Economic and Land Use Impacts of the Geelong Ring Road was released. The report can be accessed from the City of Geelong (external website).
When completed the Geelong Ring Road will provide a 23km freeway link between Corio and Waurn Ponds skirting Geelong's western outskirts. Drivers will be able to avoid up to 31 sets of traffic lights, with a travel time of 15 minutes compared with the current 25 - 60 minute trip through Geelong.
The first two stages opened in December 2008 providing a 15km freeway connection between the Princes Freeway at Corio and the Hamilton Highway at Fyansford. The final freeway link through to Waurn Ponds will open in June 2009.
The Geelong Ring Road between Corio and Waurn Ponds has cost $380 million.
In total $618 million has been committed to project and future sections, with $324.5 million from the Victorian Government and $293.5 million from the Australian Government.
The Ring Road has been constructed and opened in sections as follows:
Geelong Ring Road map [PDF, 380 KB]
Construction of first two sections commenced in 2006 and opened concurrently in December 2008. Freeway interchanges are located at Bacchus Marsh Road, Anakie Road, Midland Highway, and the Hamilton Highway. A bridge carries the freeway route across the Moorabool River.
Around 15,000 vehicles per day currently use the Geelong Ring Road between Corio and Fyansford.
Abigroup was VicRoads contractor for works between the Princes Freeway and the Midland Highway. Fulton Hogan and Cut & Fill Pty Ltd were VicRoads contractors for works between the Midland Highway and the Hamilton Highway.
Works on this 7.5km section commenced in September 2007 and will be completed in June 2009. Interchanges provide direct connections to the Hamilton Highway, Barrabool Road and the Princes Highway, with a freeway bridge spanning the Barwon River. Abigroup is VicRoads contractor for works on thi section.
Section 3 map [PDF, 275 KB]
In March 2009 works commenced to extend the Ring Road for 2.5km, providing a direct connection with Anglesea Road via an overpass of the Princes Highway. Fulton Hogan is VicRoads contractor for this section, with works scheduled for completion in late 2010.
Section 4A map [PDF, 204 KB]
Media Release 4A sod turn - 26/03/2009 [PDF 29 KB]
Planning is underway for future links from the Ring Road to the Surf Coast Highway and the Princes Highway west of Waurn Ponds:
This connection will provide a new 5km link from Anglesea Road south of Hams Road to the Princes Highway near Draytons Road. This new route will run through land currently occupied by the Blue Circle Quarry. Preliminary planning and design is underway. A commencement date for works has not been confirmed.
This proposed link will extend from Anglesea Road to the Surf Coast Highway, south of the Geelong - Warrnambool railway line. A planning study is underway along with consultation with landowners and stakeholders to identify land requirements. A commencement date for works has not been confirmed.
Information Bulletin - Geelong Ring Road - Future Links [PDF 254 KB]
Geelong Ring Roads Fact Sheet - Noise Walls [PDF 79 KB]
For more information or to subscribe to receieve project updates:
- Phone: VicRoads Project Office on (03) 5274 6800
- Write to: The Project Director, VicRoads Geelong Ring Road, 444 Princes Highway Corio, Victoria 3214
- Email: geelongringroad@roads.vic.gov.au
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