Contracts awarded for the construction of VIC Barwon Heads Rd Upgrade

Much-needed upgrade on Barwon Heads Road in Victoria are a step closer to commencing following the award of major contracts for the delivery of the project that will bust congestion and improve safety along this corridor. 

The Barwon Heads Road Upgrade is going to be delivered by three construction partners concurrently, which will enable more opportunities across the construction sector. Decmil, BMD Constructions and BildGroup – in partnership with Major Road Projects Victoria – will be undertaking project delivery. 

This significant transport infrastructure project is anticipated to create up to 500 local jobs as well as around 1,400 indirect jobs. 

Major construction is expected to begin in October and over the next month, crews will be undertaking preparation works such as road widening, boundary fencing, utility relocations and site establishment. 

“By boosting capacity and removing a key traffic bottleneck, this upgrade will ensure the thousands of people who rely on Barwon Heads Road every day get to where they need to go sooner and safer,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said. 

This upgrade will include: 

• Duplicating 4 kilometres of Barwon Heads Road between Settlement Road and Reserve Road 

• Construction of a bridge over the railway line at Marshall, removing the level crossing 

• Upgrading intersections at Settlement Road and Breakwater Road 

• Installation of new traffic lights at Crows Road, Barwarre Road, Marshalltown Road and Reserve Road 

• Constructing 4 kilometres of new shared walking and cycling path and dedicated on road cycling lanes 

• Installation of new street lighting, road signage, drainage and landscaping 

The on-road cycling lanes and off-road shared use path that are part of this project will help improve safety for vulnerable road users and will provide better connections to the Waurn Ponds Trail, the South Barwon Reserve, Belmont Common and the Barwon River Precinct. 

“Greater Geelong has the largest population growth in regional Victoria which is why we’re asking action to deliver not only this much-needed upgrade but a suite of Big Build projects in the region to provide better journeys for the people who live and work here,” VIC Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said. 

Project alignment (source: Major Road Projects Victoria)

Once works are completed, the upgraded Barwon Heads Road will have improved traffic flow and safety as well as better access to active and public transport options. By 2031, this road network is expected to cater to up to 44,000 journeys each day. 

“This much-needed upgrade will reduce travel times for many families, business owners and essential services travelling between Geelong and the Bellarine and make a huge difference in safety for students and cyclists through better pathways and cycleways. 

“I am delighted to have fought hard for the Barwon Heads Road upgrade which will mean so much to locals and visitors alike heading to our beautiful region,” Sentaor for Victoria Sarah Henderson said. 

A partnership approach to road building contracts is being used to deliver the Barwon Heads Road Upgrade. This approach will get major projects moving “from paper to pavement” sooner and easier. 

Decmil has also announced that it has secured an $88.7 million contract to deliver Package 1 of works between Settlement Road and Barwarre Road.

The Barwon Heads Road Upgrade Work Package 1 includes building a new two-lane carriageway; reconstruction, realignment and upgrading of the existing road; upgrading two signalised intersections as well as delivering two new signalised intersections.

Decmil will also be undertaking the construction of a new four-lane bridge over Waurn Ponds Creek and the delivery of a cantilever structure for a shared use path adjacent the wetlands.

“Securing this significant contract is further validation of our strategy to target the burgeoning government spend on infrastructure projects.

“Our relationship with the Victorian Government continues to go from strength to strength, which is a testament to our ability to successfully deliver major projects.

“This is particularly evident in the Geelong region, where the Barwon Heads project is located, as over the past 5 years we have successfully completed numerous projects, most notably the Drysdale Bypass and Princess Highway Section 3,” Decmil CEO Dickie Dique said.

The Australian Government supported this approach through the acceleration of the assessment and approval phases, which supports the release of funding to deliver the project. 

Source: Premier of Victoria – Media Centre; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Major Road Projects Victoria; Victoria State Government – Department of Transport; Decmil Group