$68m funding boost for second stage of Barwon Heads Rd duplication

The federal government has jumped behind the wheel to deliver the full upgrade of the Barwon Heads Rd after the state pulled back its commitment.

Gayle Tierney, Libby Coker and Richard Marles announce a funding boost for stage 2 of the Barwon Heads Rd duplication on Friday.

The Barwon Heads Rd duplication has received a major federal funding boost – only months after the state reduced its own commitment in part due to community feedback.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Corangamite MP Libby Coker announced on Friday Canberra would boost the Barwon Heads Rd duplication with an additional $68m, taking the total project cost to $318m.

The funding boost would mean Barwon Heads Rd would go from two lanes to four between Reserve to Lower Duneed roads.

The upgrade, which is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, is part of Victoria’s Big Build projects.

The promise comes after the Geelong Advertiser revealed in January the Big Build website showed the state planned to shorten the duplication by 2km from Reserve Rd to Lake Rd, rather than to Lower Duneed Rd.

At the time, the state claimed community feedback played a key role in “refining the scope” of the project and maintained traffic flow would still be improved on the stretch that is expected to carry up to 35,000 cars daily by 2036.

However, Ms Coker said the federal government had “always been committed” to the road’s duplication all the way to Lower Duneed Rd.

Stage two of the Barwon Heads Rd duplication will begin later this year and is expected to be completed by late 2028.

Works will include new traffic lights, upgraded intersections and a new shared use path.

Despite other Big Build projects across the state suffering major time and cost blowouts, including the $15bn Metro Tunnel and the Suburban Rail Loop, Ms Coker remained “confident” the project would be delivered on time.

Stage one of the duplication was completed six months ahead of schedule in mid-2023.

“We have a great track record in this region of getting the job done,” she said.

Aerial shots of stage one of the Barwon Heads Rd upgrade in 2022. Picture: Alan Barber

She said the project was “super proofing the road for the future”.

“We know that by 2031 the population of Armstrong Creek will be home to over 60,000 residents,” Ms Coker said.

“This is a game changer.”

Mr Marles said the development of areas such as Armstrong Creek had “put an increased pressure on our roads”.

“The duplication of Barwon Heads Rd right through to the Lower Duneed roundabout will be a crucial piece of infrastructure,” he said.

On Friday, Liberal candidate for Corangamite Darcy Dunstan announced $3.4m to build a new pavilion, club rooms and upper-level spectator viewing area for the Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club.

He chose not to comment on Labor’s Barwon Heads Rd promise when asked by the Addy.

Originally published as $68m funding boost for second stage of Barwon Heads Rd duplication