Alchester Village Intersection Upgrade
We are upgrading the Mountain Highway, Colchester Road and Albert Avenue intersection in Boronia to a signalised intersection with additional lanes and safer crossings for pedestrian and cyclists.
Underway
Project Update - September 2024
The next phase of construction for the intersection upgrade includes substantial road works along Colchester Road as well as continuing power and water infrastructure upgrades.
Due to recent weather and underground site conditions found during excavation, works will be undertaken during both the day and night to complete this phase during the school holiday period to minimise disruption to the community and traders.
Traffic detours Sunday 29 September – Sunday 6 October
From 8pm Sunday 29 September to 6am Sunday 6 October, Colchester Road will be closed in both directions between Mountain Highway and Beresford Drive.
A two-way detour will be in place along Beresford Drive for the duration of this stage of works.
All other approaches to the intersection will retain two-way access with a temporary roundabout in place, and temporary traffic lights to help control traffic flow from Beresford Drive onto Mountain Highway.
Please follow on-road detour signage, and see detour routes below for daytime and night time closures.
What to expect
Colchester Road works
While we continue to work along Colchester Road, there will be an increase in noise, vibration, light and dust. We will continue to monitor and minimise all impacts as much as possible.
Drivers should use signed detours and allow extra time to travel over this stage of works.
During the Colchester Road works, our crews will:
- Remove the top layer of the road, and lay new road foundations
- Build new kerb and channel along road edges
- Lay a road foundation and a new asphalt road surface
- Install temporary linemarking
- Install a temporary roundabout at the intersection
- Install new traffic signal infrastructure.
Colchester Road closure and detour: 29 September – 6 October
Ongoing works
We’re taking a staged approach to deliver these major works efficiently and safely, while minimising disruption to the community.
Service relocations began on 22 July (including water/sewerage, electricity and telecommunications) and will continue through to October 2024.
Ongoing traffic management during this work includes:
- Temporary lane closures and a reduced 40km/h speed limit through the work zone.
- Traffic management personnel on-site to help direct drivers and pedestrians safely through the work zone.
- Temporary traffic lights on-site at various stages of construction.
- Medium to high noise levels at different stages, particularly when we remove the road surface – we’ll work towards minimising noise as much as possible.
- Temporary bus stop relocations.
Support for local businesses
While we complete this important upgrade, the Alchester Village shopping precinct will remain open for business as usual throughout the construction period, with access maintained at all times for traders, suppliers and customers.
We encourage the community to continue to shop locally during works and support local businesses during this important upgrade.
Environmental care
We have worked closely with designers, independent environmental specialists and Knox City Council to retain as many existing trees as possible, balancing this with the need to improve the intersection.
We are partnering with Knox City Council on a comprehensive landscaping program once construction is complete, planting around 90 new trees and 300 shrubs and groundcovers as part of this program.
Public transport changes
Temporary bus stop relocations will be required at times during construction, impacting routes 690 and 755. Please visit the PTV website to stay updated with the latest disruption information.
Project background
This project is part of the Victorian Government’s $117 million Local Road and Intersection Upgrade program, announced in the 2020/21 Budget. The program is targeting suburban roads across Melbourne, reducing bottlenecks for drivers and improving safety for all road users.
The intersection of Mountain Highway, Colchester Road and Albert Avenue is a single lane roundabout from all approaches with left turn slip lanes provided on the north-west and south-east quadrants of the intersection.
Concerns were raised by the community regarding safety at the intersection and difficulties crossing at all legs of the roundabout, particularly during peak hours.
Based on the crash history for the five-year period ending June 2020, there were a total of four crashes at the intersection, including one crash at the Alchester Crescent and Albert Avenue intersection. The crashes involved:
- The right turn movement at Alchester Crescent, resulting in other injury
- Three cross traffic movements, all resulting in other injury.
To address these issues, the Victorian Government has committed funding to replace the existing roundabout with a signalised intersection with additional lanes and new pedestrian crossings.
Design
Please see below new Alchester Village intersection design:
View a larger version of the design map
Artist impressions
Click on the below links to see ‘BEFORE and AFTER’ aerial views, showing artist impressions of the intersection now and once it is complete.
Getting in touch
We’d like to thank everyone who has provided feedback on this project, either at one of our information sessions, via our Alchester Village doorknock or via social media or email.
All feedback received has helped to inform the final designs, as well as provide a clearer understanding of potential impacts and approach to construction and traffic management.
For more information about this project, please get in touch.
Email: [email protected]