Western Highway (Victoria)

Western Highway / Western Freeway
Victoria
General information
Type Highway
Length 418 km (260 mi)
Route number(s)
  • (A8) west of Ballarat
  • (M8) (2014–present) east of Ballarat
Former
route number
  • (National Route A8/8)
  • National Route M8 (1997-2014)
  • National Route 8 (1955-1997)
  • (Burrumbeet - Deer Park)
Major junctions
West end
 
East end
Location(s)
Major settlements Nhill, Dimboola, Horsham, Stawell, Ararat, Beaufort, Trawalla, Ballarat, Ballan, Bacchus Marsh, Melton, Rockbank, Caroline Springs , Brookfield
Highway system

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The Western Highway is the Victorian part of the principal route linking the Australian cities of Melbourne and Adelaide with a length of approximately 314 kilometres (195 mi) of single carriageway then 156 kilometres (97 mi) of dual carriageway known as the Western Freeway. It is a part of the National Highway network and designated as National Highway A8 and M8. The western end continues in South Australia as the Dukes Highway, the next section of the Melbourne–Adelaide National Highway. The Western Freeway joins Melbourne's freeway network via the Western Ring Road, in the middle western suburbs of Melbourne.

The Western Highway is the second busiest national highway in Australia, in terms of freight movements, with over five million tonnes annually. It provides the critical link between the eastern seaboard and South Australia and Western Australia. The towns along the way, including Ballarat, Ararat, Stawell and Horsham, are major agricultural and manufacturing centres.

Plans are underway for the freeway to be extended west to Ararat, and eventually, to Stawell.

The Western Freeway subsumes and bypasses most sections of the older Western Highway. Bypassed sections of the former Western Highway that remain are generally designated sequentially from C801 to C805, or Metropolitan Route 8 (within suburban Melbourne).

The Melbourne section of the Western Highway is shown in the 1969 Melbourne Transportation Plan as part of the F12 Freeway corridor.

Route

A view of the Western Freeway (M8) at Nerrina looking west toward Doodts Road, Ballarat North and Invermay from the Nerrina pedestrian overpass.

The Western Highway begins at the Victorian–South Australian border, east of Bordertown. It is mainly a high quality single carriageway from there to just outside the Melbourne side of Beaufort, with adequate numbers of overtaking lanes. However, the highway passes through several agricultural centres, for example Horsham, Victoria, slowing down traffic significantly.

Just east of Beaufort, the Western Highway becomes the Western Freeway, adopting freeway standards with two lanes running each way, and begins bypassing most of the towns the old alignment of the highway used to serve.

The newest sections of freeway standard dual carriageway opened on 6 March 2015 for the Ballarat to Beaufort section (running 25 kilometres (16 mi) in length), and on 17 April 2016 for the Beaufort to Buangor section (running 21 kilometres (13 mi) in length). The first section runs between the end of the Ballarat bypass between a new flyover/interchange with the C805 (Avenue of Remembrance, Burrumbeet) to just outside the eastern side Beaufort (including a bypass of Trawalla) providing 156 kilometres (97 mi) of freeway standard road between Melbourne and Beaufort. The second section runs between just outside the western side of Beaufort to just after the Buangor bypass, where it becomes a single carriageway again running all the way to Ararat, providing a further 21 kilometres (13 mi) of freeway standard road for between Beaufort and just passed Buangor.

Plans are underway for the end of this freeway to be extended from the current terminus just after the Buangor bypass westward towards and eventually to Stawell. The Buangor to Ararat section is now under construction.

The dual carriageway continues towards Melbourne bypassing Ballarat, Ballan, Bacchus Marsh, Melton and Rockbank to the Western Ring Road. Major intersecting roads are grade-separated, however there remain minor intersections at-grade. Cycling is permitted on the sealed shoulder along most of the freeway.

Upgrades and realignments

Timeline of duplication

Deer Park Bypass

Eastbound on the Deer Park Bypass approaching the Western Ring Road interchange

The Deer Park Bypass opened on 5 April 2009 in the western suburbs of Melbourne. The freeway links the Western Freeway at Ravenhall, and the Western Ring Road in Derrimut. This 9.3 kilometre freeway was estimated to cost A$333 million which also includes a grade separated interchange or a "full diamond" at Leakes Road in Rockbank.

The purpose of the freeway bypass is to move traffic off Ballarat Road, which leads to the Western Ring Road. Due to the strong population growth of about 8.7 per cent and subdivision in Deer Park and Sunshine, the surrounding suburbs and the seven traffic signals between the Western Ring Road and the start of the Western Freeway, substantial long and very frustrating delays were created for the 70,000 vehicles per day with 10 per cent of this consisting of heavy vehicles.

The bypass had been proposed since the completion of the Western Ring Road, the project stalled due to funding quarrels between the Federal and State Governments. In 2004, the Federal government announced that the Deer Park Bypass would be built as part of a $1.4 billion project "package grant" to Victoria. It was anticipated that more than 15 min of travel time would be saved when travelling through Deer Park, via Ballarat Road.

Construction started on the Deer Park bypass in August 2006, work being carried out as a joint venture by Leighton Contractors and VicRoads, in construction with two contracts. The first stage opened in December 2007.[23]

It was announced on 4 March 2009 that the Deer Park Bypass would open in early April 2009, with the new freeway link on track to open more than eight months ahead of schedule.

On that day, Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas and Federal Member for Gorton Brendan O'Connor MP inspected works from the new bridge over the Ring Road at Sunshine West and Tim Pallas announced that the $331 million Deer Park Bypass would open to the public on Sunday 5 April 2009.[24]

Anthony's Cutting Realignment

Alignment of the road over Djerriwarrh Creek, before the opening of the Anthony's Cutting Realignment

The section of road through Anthony's Cutting between Bacchus Marsh and Melton was one of the most dangerous sections of the route, and was not of modern freeway standard. The steep hills and tight curves along the 5 kilometre long stretch of road resulted in 21 serious crashes in the five years to 2010.[25] More than 29,000 vehicles, including more than 4000 freight vehicles, travel the highway section daily.[26] The new route opened to traffic on 27 June 2011, nine months ahead of schedule.[27]

The project included:[28]

The original project scope included a diamond interchange at Bulmans Road that has not been built, while the ramps at Hopetoun Park Road were not included but was later added.[29] The extension of Woolpack Road has been delayed due to controversy over need to clear trees in the heritage listed Avenue of Honour at Bacchus Marsh.[30]

Realignment of the road through this section had been proposed far back as 2001, when a group of 10 local councils said the realignment could cost just $65 million to build.[31] By 2006 the cost was estimated to be $85 million, with federal Roads Minister Jim Lloyd stating that the project would receive serious consideration for funding in the 2009 AusLink document, subject to support from the State Government.[32] Construction commenced in February 2010, funded by $160 million from the Australian Government and $40 million from the Victorian Government.[33]

Armstrong deviation

In 2001 work started on a 4.2 kilometre long deviation at Armstrong (on the Adelaide side of Ararat), involving 200,000 cubic metres of earthworks and a new bridge over the main Melbourne–Adelaide railway. Previously high vehicles could not travel under the rail overpass and were forced to detour around it, in addition the poor road conditions led to a number of accidents and fatalities.[34] Costing $6.1 million the work was completed by 2003.[35]

Future upgrades

There are still several at-grade intersections on the "freeway", particularly in the areas near Rockbank and at Woodmans Hill just to the east of Ballarat.

Duplication of the Western Highway between Ballarat and Stawell was proposed to be completed between 2009 and 2014, to be funded by Auslink 2.[36] At the end of 2016, parts of this are still in early planning, including the bypasses at Beaufort and Ararat.[37]

The clearing of wide swathes of the ancient red gums by Vic Roads near Beaufort has resulted in community angst and public meetings are being held. Near Buangor, 74 km west of Ballarat, two women chained themselves to a red gum on 16 March 2015 for 4½ hours to draw attention to the issue. Mrs Isabel Mackenzie, a long-term resident of the area, said she was concerned at the environmental impact of trees that are hundreds of years old. Helen Lewers, said that VicRoads should reroute the highway between Buangor and Stawell to preserve the native roadside vegetation.[38]

Towns & Suburbs

Towns along the freeway include:

Suburbs along the freeway include :

Exits and major intersections

LGALocation[39]km[39][40]miDestinationsNotes
South Australia – Victoria state border439273South Australia – Victoria state borderContinues in South Australia as the Dukes Highway
West WimmeraKaniva414257Melbourne–Adelaide railway
412256 Kaniva-Edenhope Road (C208) – Edenhope
HindmarshNhill376234 Nhill-Harrow Road (C206) – Harrow
374232 Nhill-Yanac Road (C225) – Yanac
373232 Nhill-Netherby Road (C224) – Netherby
372231 Nhill-Jeparit Road (C223) – Jeparit
Dimboola342213Wimmera River
338210 Dimboola-Rainbow Road (C227) – Jeparit, Rainbow, DimboolaC227 is the road through Dimboola, highway uses bypass
338210Melbourne–Adelaide railway
335208 Borung Highway (C234) – Donald
334208 Horsham Road (C227) – DimboolaC227 is the road through Dimboola, highway uses bypass
HorshamWail326203Melbourne–Adelaide railway
Horsham300190 Blue Ribbon Road (C231) – Wallup
/ Henty Highway (B200/B240) – Warracknabeal, St Arnaud, MilduraDuplex with A200 for 3km and B240 for 400m
299186 Wimmera Highway (B240) – Edenhope, Naracoorte
298185Wimmera River
Horsham-Lubeck Road (C215) – Longerenong, Lubeck
297185 Henty Highway (A200) – Hamilton, PortlandDuplex with A200 through Horsham
Bungalally286178 Ballyglunin North Road (C215)
Drung283176 Northern Grampians Road (C222) – Halls Gap
Northern GrampiansDeep Lead246153 Stawell-Warracknabeal Road (B210) – Warracknabeal
Stawell235146 Grampians Road (C216)– Halls Gap
234145 (C221) – Pomonal, Avoca
231144 London Road (to Donald–Stawell Road) (C238) – Donald
Great Western223139Melbourne–Adelaide railway
AraratArarat205127 Pyrenees Highway (B180)
203126 Ararat-Halls Gap Road (C222)
Melbourne–Adelaide railway level crossing
Buangor188117Melbourne–Adelaide railway
PyreneesBeaufort163101Melbourne–Adelaide railway
161100 Beaufort-Lexton Road / Skipton Road (C172)
BallaratBurrumbeet13483 Remembrance Drive interchange (C805)
Windermere13383Melbourne–Adelaide railway
Miners Rest12980 Sunraysia Highway (B220) – Avoca, Mildura Western Freeway (M8) east, Western Highway (A8) west
Miners Rest, Mitchell Park12779 Ballarat–Maryborough Road (C287) – Ballarat, Maryborough
Wendouree, Mount Rowan12578 Gillies Road (C307) – Wendouree, Cluneswestbound exit / eastbound entry only
12376 Midland Highway (A300) – Bendigo, Geelong
Brown Hill11773 Ballarat–Daylesford Road (C292) – Brown Hill, Daylesford
Warrenheip, Brown Hill11571 Victoria Street/Old Western Highway (C805) – Ballarat
11471Clarks Roadsouth side only
Warrenheip11270Brewery Tap Road / Old Melbourne Road – Mount Edgerton, DunnstownNot grade separated
11169Greene Roadsouth side only, left in/left out, at grade
11068Richards Roadnorth side only, left in/left out, at grade
MooraboolLeigh Creek10867Forbes Road / Black Swamp RoadAt-grade
10766Bungaree–Wallace Road – BungareeAt-grade, south side only
Bungaree, Springbank9760Ormond Road – Springbank, Bungaree–Wallace Road (C291) – Wallace, Creswick
Gordon9257Brougham Street / Abbington Park Road – GordonGrade separated
Ballan8251 Ballan–Daylesford Road (C141) – Ballan, Daylesford
7949BP Service Centre
7748 Old Melbourne Road (C803) – Ballan
Myrniong7144 Greendale–Myrniong Road (C318) – Kyneton
Myrniong, Pentland Hills6540Pentland Hills Road – Pentland Hills
Pentland Hills6239Mortons Road / Pentland Hills Road – Pentland HillsMelbourne side ramps only
Darley, Bacchus Marsh6037 Bacchus Marsh Road (C802) – Bacchus MarshAdelaide side only
Bacchus Marsh5836 Bacchus Marsh–Gisborne Road (C704) – Geelong, Gisborne
Lerderderg River
5333 Bacchus Marsh Road (C802) – Bacchus Marshexits only
Hopetoun Park5132Hopetoun Park RoadMelbourne side only
MeltonBrookfield, Melton, Melton West, Melton South4528 Coburns Road (C801) – Exford, Melton
Melton, Melton South4226Ferris Road, Melton Highway (C754/C801) – Melton, Gisborne, Taylors Lakes, Melton South
Rockbank4025Mount Cottrell Road – Mount Cottrellat-grade
3824Paynes Roadat-grade
3622Leakes Road – Rockbank, Plumpton
3321Troups Road NorthAt grade
3119 Hopkins Road (C702) – Werribee, Diggers Rest
Ravenhall2817 Ballarat Road (State Route 8) – Deer Park, SunshineMelbourne side only
2717Christies Road – Caroline SpringsMelbourne side only
BrimbankDerrimut2113Robinsons Road – Tarneit, Burnside
1912 Western Ring Road (M80) – Greensborough, Seymour, Sydney, airport
Derrimut, Sunshine West1811continues as Western Ring Road (M80) – Melbourne, Geelong
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

References

  1. Country Roads Board Victoria. Fifty-Second Annual Report: for the year ended 30 June 1965, Melbourne, Victoria: Government Printer, 1965. p. 16
  2. 1 2 3 Country Roads Board Victoria. Fifty-Fourth Annual Report: for the year ended 30 June 1967, Burwood, Victoria: Brown, Prior, Anderson, 1968. p. 35
  3. Country Roads Board Victoria. Fifth Annual Report: for the year ended 30 June 1968, Burwood, Victoria: Brown, Prior, Anderson, 1969. p. 35
  4. Country Roads Board Victoria. Fifty-Sixth Annual Report: for the year ended 30 June 1969, Burwood, Victoria: Brown, Prior, Anderson, 1970. p. 6
  5. 1 2 Country Roads Board Victoria. Fifty-Ninth Report: for the year ended 30 June 1972, Burwood, Victoria: Brown, Prior, Anderson, 1972. p. 7
  6. Country Roads Board Victoria. Sixtieth Annual Report: for the year ended 30 June 1973, Burwood, Victoria: Brown, Prior, Anderson, 1973. p. 5
  7. Country Roads Board Victoria. Sixty-First Annual Report: for the year ended 30 June 1974, Burwood, Victoria: Brown, Prior, Anderson, 1974. p. 4
  8. Country Roads Board Victoria. Sixty-Third Annual Report: for the year ended 30 June 1976, Burwood, Victoria: Brown, Prior, Anderson, 1976
  9. Country Roads Board Victoria. Sixty-Fifth Annual Report: for the year ended 30 June 1978, Burwood, Victoria: Brown, Prior, Anderson, 1978. p. 9
  10. Country Roads Board Victoria. Activity Report 1982/83, Kew, Victoria: Country Roads Board Victoria, 1983. p. 8
  11. Road Construction Authority Victoria. Annual Report 1986-87, Kew, Victoria: Road Construction Authority, Victoria, 1987. p. 64
  12. Road Construction Authority Victoria. Annual Report 1987-88
  13. VicRoads. VicRoads Annual Report 1993-94, Kew, Victoria: VicRoads, 1994, p. 17
  14. VicRoads. VicRoads Annual Report 1994-95, Kew, Victoria: VicRoads, 1995, p. 10
  15. VicRoads. VicRoads Annual Report 1995-56, Kew, Victoria: VicRoads, 1996, p. 15
  16. VicRoads. VicRoads Annual Report 1997-98, Kew, Victoria: VicRoads, 1998, p. 32
  17. Vic Roads 2001
  18. BUDGET 2001-2002 Media Release. John Anderson, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Transport and Regional Services. FEDERAL ROADS BUDGET FOR VICTORIA JUMPS 77 PER CENT, 2001 Budget 8 22 May 2001
  19. VicRoads. VicRoads Annual Report 2008-09, Kew, Victoria: VicRoads, 2009, p. 42
  20. VicRoads. VicRoads Annual Report 2010-11, Kew, Victoria: VicRoads, 2011, p. 10
  21. VicRoads. Annual Report 2012-13, Kew, Victoria: VicRoads, 2013, p. 20
  22. 1 2 "Western Highway upgrades". VicRoads. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  23. First milestone reached on the Deer Park Bypass
  24. Media Release - Deer Park ByPass to open in early April 2009
  25. "$200 Million Anthony's Cutting Project Underway". Media release issued by the Hon Kevin Rudd MP, Prime Minister; Tim Pallas, Victorian Roads Minister; and Catherine King, Member for Ballarat. 18 February 2010. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  26. "Anthony's Cutting to open early". The Courier. 24 June 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  27. "Anthony's Cutting realignment open to traffic". Melton Leader. 27 June 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  28. "Project Overview". Western Highway Realignment Project. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  29. "Angry Hopetoun Park residents petition MP". Melton Leader. 3 October 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  30. Carolyn Webb (13 August 2010). "Heritage listing puts project on hold". The Age. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  31. MARIZA FIAMENGO (31 October 2001). "Campaign unveiled for safe highway". The Courier. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  32. "Positive response to highway upgrade plan". The Courier. 31 July 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  33. "Western Highway - Realignment of Anthonys Cutting between Melton and Bacchus Marsh". nationbuildingprogram.gov.au. 18 May 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
  34. "Works to start on Armstrong deviation". Stawell Times News. www.stawelltimes.com.au. 2 November 2001. Retrieved 21 June 2010.
  35. John Anderson (14 May 2002). "Federal Government Keeps Victoria Moving". Budget Media Releases 2002–03. www.infrastructure.gov.au. Retrieved 21 June 2010.
  36. "Western Highway Duplication – Ballarat to Stawell" (pdf). Department of Transport, State Government of Victoria, Australia. p. 58. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  37. "Beaufort Bypass". Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Government of Victoria. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  38. Hatch, Patrick (16 March 2015). "Grandmother, 91 chains herself to tree in Victoria's west to protest roadwork". The Age. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  39. 1 2 Google (23 November 2016). "Western Highway: Border to Melbourne" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  40. Google (25 December 2016). "Western Highway (Victoria)" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
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