Traffic flows and safety along New Gisborne’s busiest stretch of road will improve with works on a $6.6 million upgrade of Station Road about to begin.
Two roundabouts will be built and existing lanes widened as part of the long-awaited project, funded by state and federal governments and supported by Macedon Ranges council and Gisborne Roads Group.
Bike and pedestrian paths and improved connections between Station Road and the Calder Freeway will also be built.
Cr Russell Mowatt said it was the biggest roads investment in the area since the Calder bypass in 1988.
‘‘The vehicle movements prior to the bypass in 1988 were about 12,000 per day,’’ he said.
‘‘We have, as a community, well and truly exceeded this as a result of internal development and population growth.’’
About 17,500 cars use the road linking Gisborne with the freeway every day. This is expected to increase to 24,000 in the next two to five years.
‘‘This is perfect timing in terms of the future population and economic growth for Gisborne,’’ Cr Mowatt said.
‘‘But there’s also the safety aspect, with vehicles backing up on the off ramps [of the Calder] during peak periods.’’
The work is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
