BALLARAT WESTERN LINK ROAD

In 2009 Council undertook investigations to identify a suitable alignment for
a Link Road around the western outskirts of Ballarat.

The Ballarat Western Link Road would connect the Western Highway near the Ballarat Airport and the Midland Highway to the south of Sebastopol. It would serve new developments at the Airport precinct and residential developments in Ballarat West and would be approximately 16 kilometres long. Recent studies have identified a preferred alignment that is two lanes wide in each direction from Glenelg Highway to the Western Highway in the north, and one lane wide in each direction from Glenelg Highway to Midland Highway in the south. However, transport modelling has shown that the ultimate road configuration as described above would not be required until 2031.

The Link Road will improve safety and traffic flow, reduce congestion and enhance access for users of the transport corridor. It will provide an integrated transport solution which meets the needs of Ballarat residents, commuters and freight transporters.

The next step is for Council to consider the alignment investigations carried out to date and seek approval to undertake the next phase of the project. At the time of going to print a report on Western Link Road was to be considered at an Ordinary Meeting of Council on 24 February. The outcome will be published in the next edition of myballarat.