Hoddle Street closure: road improvements to cause week of chaos for motorists

VICROADS has warned the traffic delays caused by the Hoddle St closure will get worse as the week goes on. The first morning passed without a major traffic headache, but the authority expects the situation to escalate as more motorists return to work.

VICROADS has warned disruption from the eight-day Hoddle St shut down is likely to get worse later in the week.

While the authority and Roads Minister Luke Donnellan were pleased that 60 per cent of commuters who usually used the busy arterial stayed away this morning, they warned there was likely to be greater disruption later in the week.

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Acting VicRoad chief executive Peter Todd said there were about 12 minutes’ delays on eastbound roads near Hoddle St this morning. but more commuters would be returning to work during the week.

He said he expected traffic on Wellington Pde to increase later in the week and on other north routes into the city - including Nicholson St and Lygon St.

Traffic building at the end of the Eastern Freeway. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Major road works will close roads for seven days. Picture: Nicole Garmston

VicRoads traffic monitoring teams would change light sequences in real time to help keep traffic moving, he said.

Mr Todd said there would be additional lane closures and traffic disruption right up until the middle of the year.

Roads Minister Luke Donnellan encouraged traveller to plan ahead, change their route or use public transport during the January shut down period.

The works this morning caused minor delays on Wellington St and Nicholson St through Collingwood and Fitzroy.

Princess St, Denmark St and High St in Kew also experienced delays.

Travel time for the Eastern Freeway from Springvale Rd to the city this morning was about 13 minutes but traffic moved well.

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Traffic building at the end of the Eastern Freeway. Hoddle street closed in both directions Collingwood, for major road works. Buses are still running along the road. Picture: Nicole Garmston

It marks the start of a disruptive run on Melbourne’s roads with Hoddle St, between the Eastern Freeway and Victoria Parade, to be closed to all traffic except public buses for the next seven days.

Delays of up to an hour are expected throughout parts of the week as the section of the main arterial between the Eastern Freeway off-ramp and Victoria Parade is closed in both directions

The works will see the bridge over the Eastern Freeway strengthened while the centre of Hoddle St is demolished and rebuilt to add a third lane to the freeway entry.

For the next week Hoddle Street will be closed in both directions between Victoria Pde and the Eastern Freeway. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Acting Roads Minister ­Philip Dalidakis​ said it was the best option to get the work done as quickly as possible.

“The alternative to closing it this week was to have rolling stoppages for the next three to six months, which would have created a much greater level of disruption,’’ Mr Dalidakis said.

“We need to ensure the disruption to the public is limited.

“We believe this is the best course of action.’’

On Sunday there were early signs of what commuters could expect. Traffic was backed up on most side streets around the area.

A deserted Hoddle Street. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

The beginning of major road works on Hoddle St Picture: Nicole Garmston

On Wellington St, vehicles banked up as motorists opted for last-minute rat runs or poorly timed three-point turns.

Mr Dalidakis said public buses would be the only ­vehicle granted access to the stretch of road while work was carried out.

“We ask the travelling public to ensure they leave more time, not less, to be able to get to where they are going to, and safely,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, upgrade works on the outbound carriageway of the Monash Freeway continued overnight with all outbound lanes closed between Heatherton Rd and the South Gippsland Freeway.

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VicRoads journey services director Sameem Moslih said engineers would be adjusting the lane closures as required.

“It’s important we get this work done during the quietest time of the year so your 2018 trips on the Monash will be safer and quicker” he said.

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