Reconstruction of Finchs Road set to begin

The City of Ballarat will begin reconstructing a section of Finchs Road, between Bells Road and Greenhalghs Road, from Wednesday.

The major upgrade will improve safety along the 1.46 kilometre section of road at Bunkers Hill.

The project received $1,532,905 in Australian Government funding under the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program.

The works include road widening, kerbing, shoulders, sealing and minor drainage works as well as the installation of guard rail on some sections of the road.  

To enable the widening of the road, some trees will need to be removed. The wood from any larger trees will be used for placement along the municipality’s walking and cycling trails.

Once the reconstruction works are completed, native trees and undergrowth will be planted to improve the appearance of the stretch of road.

Intermittent road closures will take place along the section of Finchs Road from Wednesday 6 November to Friday 20 December with a full road closure for major excavation works expected to take place from mid-January. The works are expected to be completed by the end of February, weather permitting.

The City of Ballarat has notified impacted residents. Traffic management will be in place during the safety improvement works, including reduced speed limits. Access will be available for local residents and school buses.

City of Ballarat Director Infrastructure and Environment Bridget Wetherall said the works will boost safety along the busy stretch of road.

“This significant upgrade of Finchs Road will deliver essential safety improvements for the residents and motorists who use this road,” she said.

“We look forward to completing the project and thank the Federal Government for this critical funding.”

Future works will also occur at the Greenhalghs Road and Finchs Road intersection following the Australian Government’s recent announcement of $2 million of funding from its Black Spot Program. These separate upgrades will see significant safety improvements including the construction of a roundabout.

The City of Ballarat installed rumble strips and upgraded signs on the Greenhalghs and Finchs Road intersection as part of an interim safety measure in July 2023.

For more information on the LRCI program visit Infrastructure Investment.