By Oliver Lees
Major works will begin on Sunbury Road later this month to accommodate an increased volume of trucks as Hi-Quality prepares to receive three million tonnes of soil as part of the West Gate Tunnel project.
The works will take place over the next month at 570 Sunbury Road, outside of the Hi-Quality Sunbury Eco-Hub.
According to a Major Roads Projects spokesperson, most of the works will occur between 7pm and 6am, with some 24/7 operation over three separate weekends.
“We’ll build new pavement, drainage, and relocate essential utility services to upgrade the driveway for trucks entering and exiting this site, preventing mud and dirt being carried on to Sunbury Road,” the spokesperson said.
“The Hi-Quality Sunbury Eco-Hub is introducing temporary traffic lights at the entrance to its facility which will remain in place until the permanent traffic signals are installed.”
The spokesperson said this roadworks will involve laying traffic light cables, installing temporary traffic lights and poles, and resurfacing a small section of Sunbury Road. Residents have been told to expect extra noise from heavy machinery operation as well as dust.
The works follow the decision made by Transurban and builder CPB-John Holland in June to sign contracts that allowed the commencement of construction works at Hi-Quality’s Eco Hub.
Residents of Sunbury and Bulla have continued to voice their disapproval at the choice of destination for the soil relocation effort, with concerns relating to the potential impact on the environment and traffic congestion.
It is estimated that B-double trucks will transport soil to Hi-Quality’s site 24-hours a day, seven days a week for 18 to 24 months.
Sunbury Residents Association president Graham Williams said people living in Bulla are already dealing with headaches from excessive traffic congestion and noise pollution.
I really sympathise [with] the plight of the Bulla residents who now have to battle huge traffic volumes to just move around their town,“ Mr Williams said.
“We cannot imagine what the addition of hundreds of extra truck movements a day will do to the roads.“
In October, a Hi-Quality spokesperson confirmed the company had sent its traffic management plan to the Department of Transport for approval.
The plan details a primary route from the West Gate Tunnel Project Pivot site through Footscray to CityLink, and then onto the Tullamarine Freeway and Sunbury Road.
