Drivers can expect traffic snarls along Tarneit Road to last a bit longer, with a $6 million duplication and intersection upgrade not expected to be complete until at least October.
Wyndham council’s city operations director Stephen Thorpe said the project, which was originally slated for completion in October 2017, had been delayed because design changes were needed to avoid disrupting water, gas, electricity and drainage systems.
“These were unexpected complications and we’ve been working closely with the responsible service providers to resolve these issues and ensure that the project is delivered safely,” he said.
“The duplication and intersection are expected to be completed by October 2018, dependant on service authorities being able to carry out the work required in the time frames they’ve committed to.
“While it’s disappointing that these works have been delayed, it highlights the pressure associated with roadworks that all stakeholders are under, including service providers, in a rapidly growing municipality with a high demand for new infrastructure.”
Once complete, the road upgrade will include an extra lane in each direction between Hogans Road and Caraleena Drive, traffic lights at the Good News Lutheran College entrance, and a doubling in the size of the Tarneit and Hogans roads intersection.
Since November last year, drivers have had to negotiate a makeshift roundabout at the Tarneit and Hogans road intersection to allow work to widen the intersection and install a new set of traffic lights.
The project also includes construction of wetlands next to the Tarneit West shopping centre to improve the storm water quality and provide more public open space.
One of Wyndham’s most heavily congested roads, more than 20,100 cars travel through Tarneit Road north of Hogans Road each day, according to the council’s most recent traffic volumes survey.
