A $200 million project on the Western Highway is getting significant support from the local community as a new community information centre opens in Bacchus Marsh.

Construction of the new alignment at Anthonys Cutting between Melton and Bacchus Marsh is set to commence early this year and will support local jobs through the Alliance, which consists of VicRoads, John Holland and AECOM.

“We are getting the show on the road, so to speak,” Alliance General Manager Rod Jeffrey said. “And one of the important parts of doing that is engaging the community and ensuring they are kept up-to-date.”

The community information centre, located at 166A Main Street, features displays, maps, project information and a simulated drive-through of the new freeway route.

“This centre will keep the region up-to-date on the progress of the realignment, right through to its planned completion in 2012,” Mr Jeffrey said.

“The simulated drive-through will help visitors visualise the work we are about to do. It shows how the alignment will integrate with the various landscapes between Melton and Bacchus Marsh. They will be able to see in 3D where the bridges, access ramps and overpasses will be constructed.”

The new four lane, dual carriageway freeway will extend for five kilometres between Harkness Road, Melton West and Bacchus Marsh Road in Bacchus Marsh. A new interchange will also be provided at Woolpack Road, which will be extended north from Bacchus Marsh Road, with connections on and off the Western Freeway in each direction.

The Woolpack Road interchange and associated road links will improve safety and important freight movements between regional centres.

The section of highway between Melton and Bacchus Marsh has a very high crash rate, more than double that of adjacent sections of freeway. The new alignment will provide significantly safer driving conditions by avoiding the steep grades, tight curves and local intersections on the current highway.

When completed, the new Western Freeway route will also deliver major economic benefits for the road freight industry and its customers. Significant travel time and cost savings can be expected for goods and produce transported between Melbourne, Ballarat, western Victoria and beyond.  

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