Aerial view of the Princes Highway and McEacharn Street intersection in Bairnsdale
Projects

Princes Highway and McEacharn Street intersection upgrade, Bairnsdale

We’re installing a new roundabout at the Princes Highway and McEacharn Street intersection to improve safety, traffic flow and accessibility for all road users in the east of Bairnsdale.
Project status:

Underway

Update - March 2025

Construction began in October 2024, and we've made good progress over the summer months.

We’re on track to have the new roundabout and related upgrades fully operational by mid-2025.

These works are in addition to the ongoing upgrade at the Wy Yung Road (Bullumwaal Road) and Howitt Avenue intersection in Bairnsdale. For more details, visit the project page.

 

Image of the aerial view of the Princes Highway and McEacharn Street intersection upgrade in Bairnsdale.

Traffic impacts

We understand roadworks can be disruptive and have made every effort to minimise the impact to road users.

To keep everyone safe, a 40km/h speed limit will be in place with lane closures on at times.

Some local side street intersection closures will be required from time to time to ensure we can complete this project as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

Access to properties will be maintained at all times, with detours in place. 

Please continue to look out for changed traffic conditions and allow extra time when travelling through the area. 

Thank you for your patience as we deliver these important upgrades.

Overview

This intersection will be made safer thanks to a $9.7 million investment as part of the Australian Government’s $316.3 million commitment to upgrade the Princes Highway Corridor in Victoria, delivered in partnership with the Victorian Government. Since 2017, we have been working with the Bairnsdale community to understand road network issues.

The population of Bairnsdale has grown significantly over the past decade, increasing the number of vehicles on the town’s road network.

This population growth is predicted to grow a further 27 per cent between 2016 and 2036 with significant growth areas in Eastwood and Lucknow suburbs situated north of the Princes Highway and McEacharn Street intersection.

The Princes Highway and McEacharn Street intersection was identified by the community as a high priority intersection.

The Princes Highway is one of only two roads in Bairnsdale that cross the Mitchell River.

A roundabout was identified as the preferred option based on community feedback, improved safety and traffic flow benefits.

 

Image of map showing the Princes Highway and McEachan Street Bairnsdale intersection upgrade

View a larger version of the map

Details

The upgrade works will include:
 

  • construction of a new dual lane roundabout at the Princes Highway and McEacharn Street intersection
  • extra lanes on the Princes Highway between the entrance to Howitt Park playground and Alexander Parade western intersection
  • realignment of the Dickeson Lane entry to maintain current access
  • upgrades to the Princes Highway and Alexander Parade western intersection including a new right turn lane from the highway
  • upgrades to the Princes Highway and Hadfield Street intersection including a new left turn lane from the highway
  • conversion of the Hadfield Street and Alexander Parade intersection into exit only for Alexander Parade residents.
  • new left turn lane from the highway into Howitt Park playground area
  • completion of a shared path from the Mitchell River bridge to Great Alpine Road.

Benefits

The benefits of the upgrade include:
 

  • better connections to and from Bairnsdale’s growth and development areas
  • improved road safety
  • improved traffic flow
  • reduced likelihood of serious crashes, and
  • improved pedestrian safety.

Protecting our environment

We share the values the community places on our environment and take our responsibility to improve road safety while minimising the impact to the environment extremely seriously.

Our project teams develop designs to retain as much vegetation as possible.

However, some vegetation including native trees will need to be removed to allow the road to be widened and create enough space to install the roundabout, turning lanes and shared user paths.

Environmental approvals for these works have been obtained and work will be carried out in accordance with a Construction Environmental Management Plan. 

Construction work area is limited as much as possible with fencing erected to protect vegetation.

Learn more

For more information about this project, please get in touch:
 


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