WORK has begun on the much-talked about Watson Street interchange upgrades in Wallan, with motorists asked to be patient as the works are completed.
From now until March, workers will be laying temporary pavement on the north side of Watson Street, between McCarthy Court and Wallara Waters Boulevard, which will allow workers to move traffic lanes as needed to allow traffic to continue to flow on Watson Street during nights.
There will also be temporary safety barriers and signs along the Hume Freeway and on Watson Street, while the ground will be prepared for construction.
Currently, assessments are being made to reduce the impact of construction on local plants and animals.
Work will be done from 7am to 6pm from Mondays to Fridays, as well as Saturdays from 7am to 1pm.
The right-turn lane on the southbound exit ramp from the Hume Freeway to Watson Street is going to be closed for up to two weeks, with motorists asked to use the roundabout at Wallara Waters to make a u-turn to access the westbound lane at Watson Street.
Night works will be more pronounced on Watson Street than during the day – with Watson Street open in both directions during the day.
From 9pm to 5.30am on Sundays to Thursdays and 10pm to 9am on Fridays, one lane will be closed, and temporary traffic lights will be installed to manage traffic.
The project will also reduce speed limits, with a limit of 80 kilometres per hour on the Hume Freeway and 40 kilometres per hour on Watson Street.
In mid-February, the footpath on the Watson Street bridge will be closed. Pedestrians will not be able to access the area between McCarthy Court and the Wallara Waters/Commercial Drive roundabout.
To combat this, the Department of Transport and Planning will run a free shuttle bus between Wallan train station, Wallara Waters and the Wallan town centre for seven days a week, while a school shuttle will also be set up for Wallan Primary School, Wallan Secondary School and Our Lady of the Way students on mornings and afternoons.
A temporary site compound has been set up along Wallara Waters Boulevard with a fenced-off area, driveways for vehicular access, utility services, portable buildings and the opportunity to investigate underground utilities on nearby nature strips.
