Geelong Ring Road

Infobox Australian Road
road_name = Geelong Ring Road
route_

---

route_

route_

photo = Geelong Bypass, Bell Post Hill, 2007.jpg
caption = Geelong Ring Road under construction at Bell Post Hill.
length = 25
direction = Northeast-Southwest
start =
finish =
est = 2008
through = Lovely Banks, Bell Post Hill, Hamlyn Heights, Fyansford, Wandana Heights
route = M1 (Australia)
exits = "By late 2008"

The Geelong Ring Road (formerly known as the Geelong Bypass and the Geelong Outer Freeway) is a freeway ring road under construction. The ring road will extend for 25 km beside Geelong's western suburbs from the Princes Freeway at Corio to the Princes Highway at Waurn Ponds. [ [http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/461B572E-A9CD-4DE8-91AC-25E571FCECEB/0/gbpmap20050808.pdf VicRoads - Geelong Ring Road route map] ] The road will also connect to the Midland Highway to Ballarat, and the Hamilton Highway. Proposals for a road along this route date back to October 1960.cite book
last = Begg
first = Peter
title = Geelong - The First 150 Years
publisher = Globe Press
date = 1990
isbn = 0-9592863-5-7 ]

History

One of the first plans for a ring road of Geelong dates back to March 7, 1969, when a report was released by the Barwon Regional Commission. It said that the ring road could be delayed for up to 15 years.

In 1972 saw a number of proposals made, one for a freeway though Geelong West, and another for Aberdeen Street to be upgraded into a major road with the acquisition of 99 houses. Both of these proposals were dropped after residents objections. 1979 saw a Melbourne firm carry out acoustic testing at Wandana Heights to test the impact of a freeway. The alignment was finalised in 1979 and appeared as a proposed freeway in the Melway street directory for a number of years.

Growing traffic lead to Latrobe Terrace being upgraded into a major highway in early 1989, along with the construction of the James Harrison Bridge. [cite web|url=http://www.railgeelong.com/location/latrobe-terrace|title=Rail Geelong: Latrobe Terrace|accessdate=2007-07-01]

ections

The project was renamed the Geelong Ring Road on February 20, 2007. [ [http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/56CCE76D-CD83-4EF8-B6DC-31CA80548B15/0/grr20070220rename.pdf VicRoads - Geelong Bypass Renamed Geelong Ring Road] ]

Construction on the Geelong Ring Road began in early 2006 with the freeway section to Waurn Ponds scheduled for completion in 2009. A total of $384 million from the Victorian and Federal Governments has been committed to fund the project.

The Geelong Ring Road (freeway type) is to be constructed in three sections as follows; with all three under construction:
* Section 1: Princes Freeway, Corio to Midland Highway, Bell Post Hill [ [http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/8720769B-098E-4908-B0F5-1BA8E8E3F609/0/gbp200606mapS1.pdf VicRoads - Section 1 map] ]
* Section 2: Midland Highway, Hamlyn Heights to Hamilton Highway, Fyansford [ [http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/AE0A5242-E3C4-435D-A6DF-53E04EDBC88D/0/gbp200608S2map.pdf VicRoads - Section 2 map] ]
* Section 3: Hamilton Highway, Fyansford to Princes Highway, Waurn Ponds [ [http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/B9726711-4DC8-4D55-9159-D2EEC5712446/0/gbp200607mapS3.pdf VicRoads - Section 3 map] ] There was much local debate on the proposed route for Section 3. [ [http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/RoadsAndProjects/RoadProjects/RegionalVictoria/GeelongRingRoad/GeelongRingRoadSection3.htm VicRoads - Section 3 Facts] ] The final decision was made on 7 July 2006, while construction commenced in September, 2007. [ [http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/09/14/2032714.htm ABC News: Costello, Brumby launch Geelong road stage] ] There will be no toll when the Geelong Ring Road opens to traffic.
* Section 4: split into three sub-sections; with planning underway:

* Stage 4A (Connection from Geelong Ring Road to Anglesea Road)
* Stage 4B (Connection from Anglesea Road - Princes Highway West)
* Stage 4C (Surf Coast Highway connection)

In October 2007, during the 2007 Federal election campaign the Labor party promised $107.5 million for the fourth stage of the road. It was made up of $45 million for stage 4B, on top of their promise made in September for $62.5 million towards Stage 4A. [cite web
url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/ALP-commits-1075m-to-Geelong-Ring-Road/2007/10/19/1192301020491.html
title=ALP commits $107.5m to Geelong Ring Road
work=The Age
date=October 19, 2007
publisher=www.theage.com.au
accessdate=2008-07-18] In May 2008 stages 4A and 4D were given the go ahead, with State Premier John Brumby announcing $65 million in funding for stage 4B, in addition to earlier State Government funding of $63 million for stage 4A. Running from the Princes Highway at Waurn Ponds; it will run from Anglesea Road near Hams Road, through the Blue Circle Quarry to the Princes Highway, near Draytons Road.

The State and Federal Governments have also each committed $110 million to duplicate the Princes Highway to Winchelsea. [cite web
url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/05/09/13757_news.html
title=Ring road will be connected to duplicated Princes Highway
author=Jeff Whalley
date=May 9, 2008
work=Geelong Advertiser
publisher=www.geelongadvertiser.com.au
accessdate=2008-07-18] An extra stage connecting the road to the Surf Coast Highway is also being investigated, but the Government has not put a timeframe on when a final decision will be made. [cite web
url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/05/10/13788_news.html
title=Ring of confidence over new stage of Geelong Ring Road
date=May 10, 2008
author=Daniel Breen
work=Geelong Advertiser
publisher=www.geelongadvertiser.com.au
accessdate=2008-07-18]

A shared bicycle and pedestrian pathway will be also be built along the freeway from Broderick Road, Corio to Church Street, Hamlyn Heights.cite web
url=http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/bc348d5912436a9cca256cfc0082d800/743b36e641bac878ca2571f700037588!OpenDocument
title=GEELONG BYPASS SECTION 2 OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED
work=Media Release: MINISTER FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT
date=September 27, 2006
publisher=www.legislation.vic.gov.au
accessdate=2008-07-18] Built at a cost of $4 million, the trail will not connect into the Geelong bicycle network, due to a short missing link between Church Street and the Fyansford Common. [cite web
url=http://www.bv.com.au/change-the-world/11455/
title=Geelong Bypass Project
author=Bicycle Victoria
publisher=www.bv.com.au
accessdate=2008-07-18]

Construction

Work on section one commenced on February 17, 2006. 10.5 km long, [cite web
url=http://www.auslink.gov.au/projects/ProjectDetails.aspx?Project_id=VIC321
title=AusLink Projects: Geelong Ring Road
publisher=www.auslink.gov.au
accessdate=2008-07-18] it is in a single $134.8 million contract. Work on section two was ceremoniously commenced on September 27, 2006. A $31.7 million contract covers 4.5 km of freeway, while a second contract, worth $15.5 million covers the Moorabool River bridges. The section will carry about 18,000 vehicles per day when built. The $108.3 million contract for stage three was awarded on July 25, 2007 including 7.5 kilometres of road moving 4.7 million cubic metres of earth, and twin 110 metre long bridges over the Barwon River. [cite web
url=http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/955cbeae7df9460dca256c8c00152d2b/714832ff19315bcbca257323007e9334!OpenDocument
title=GEELONG RING ROAD SET FOR STAGE 3
work=Media Release: MINISTER FOR ROADS AND PORTS
date=July 25, 2007
publisher=www.legislation.vic.gov.au
accessdate=2008-07-18] The first sod was turned on September 14, 2007. [cite web
url=http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/35504bc71d3adebcca256cfc0082c2b8/3db1e4dbfb039e43ca257358007ceb1a!OpenDocument
title=GREEN LIGHT FOR NEXT STAGE OF GEELONG RING ROAD
work=Media Release: OFFICE OF THE PREMIER
date=September 14, 2007
publisher=www.legislation.vic.gov.au
accessdate=2008-07-18]

The Broderick Road overpass was opened in November 2007, and was one of the first elements to be opened. [cite web
url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2007/11/28/9252_news.html
title=Ring road takes first steps
work=Geelong Advertiser
author=Lauren Pike
date=November 28, 2007
publisher=www.geelongadvertiser.com.au
accessdate=2008-07-18] The largest bridge on the road, over the Moorabool River, had the final span installed on March 6, 2008. Made up of twin 200 metre long bridges, there are 70 beams and 12 piers. [cite web
url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/03/07/11977_news.html
title=MPs crane their necks to see the ring road milestone
work=Geelong Advertiser
author=Jeff Whalley
date=March 7, 2008
publisher=www.geelongadvertiser.com.au
accessdate=2008-07-18] In May 2008 a plane crash scene of the Nicolas Cage film "Knowing" was filmed on the incomplete road at Corio. [cite web
url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/04/29/13444_news.html
title=Geelong filming of Nicholas Cage movie delayed
work=Geelong Advertiser
date=April 29, 08
publisher=www.geelongadvertiser.com.au
accessdate=2008-07-06]

In 2007 VicRoads said that section one was to be completed by February 2008, but by that time completion had been pushed out to the middle of 2008.cite web
url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/02/15/11340_news.html
title=Building bridges over ring road delay
work=Geelong Advertiser
author=Jeff Whalley
date=February 15, 2008
publisher=www.geelongadvertiser.com.au
accessdate=2008-07-18] By this time earth works were completed on stage two, with 700,000 cubic metres of earth moved, and installation of noise walls had started along with landscaping. On stage three 550,000 cubic metres of earth had been moved to the north and south of Barrabool Road, and Wandana Drive foundation works were complete.

By May 2008 completion of stages one and two of the road has been further delayed until November, with VicRoads staying that "wet and cold weather in recent weeks had prevented sealing the road surface". Section one of the ring road was initially expected to be completed in February, and section three is due for completion in 2009. [cite web
url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/05/08/13706_news.html
title=Geelong Ring Road slowed down by impending Winter
work=Geelong Advertiser
author=Clive Dorman
date=May 8, 2008
publisher=www.geelongadvertiser.com.au
accessdate=2008-07-18] Local police expressed concerns about a staged opening of the road, with drivers using temporary shortcuts not suited to heavy traffic and large vehicles. [cite web
url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/05/02/13533_news.html
title=Top traffic cop has reservations about partial opening of Geelong ring road
work=Geelong Advertiser
date=May 2, 2008
author=Clive Dorman
publisher=www.geelongadvertiser.com.au
accessdate=2008-07-18]

Exits and intersections

ee also

*Freeways in Australia
*Freeways in Victoria

References

External links

* [http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/RoadsAndProjects/RoadProjects/RegionalVictoria/GeelongRingRoad/GeelongRingRoadSection+1.htm Vicroads, section 1]
* [http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/RoadsAndProjects/RoadProjects/RegionalVictoria/GeelongRingRoad/GeelongRingRoadSection2.htm Vicroads, section 2]
* [http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/RoadsAndProjects/RoadProjects/RegionalVictoria/GeelongRingRoad/GeelongRingRoadSection3.htm Vicroads, section 3]
* [http://www.abigroup.com.au/art-template-project.asp?CID=76&AID=270 Geelong ring road - Section 1, Abigroup]
* [http://www.cutandfill.com.au/index.html Geelong ring road - Section 2, cut & fill pty ltd]
* [http://www.abigroup.com.au/art-template-project.asp?CID=76&AID=697 Geelong ring road - Section 3, Abigroup]
* [http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/RoadsAndProjects/RoadProjects/RegionalVictoria/GeelongRingRoad/default.htm VicRoads Geelong Ring Road Project information]