Thompson Road safety improvements

Overview

We’re upgrading sections of Thompson Road in north Geelong, from Victoria Street to Separation Street, and Morgan Street to Cox Road. The project will be completed in four stages.

Update - June 2026

Stage 3 works are underway to install pedestrian refuge islands, construct raised safety platforms, relocate bus stops and improve line-marking. These works are expected to be completed in mid-2026.

Stage 4 includes traffic signal works and improvements at eight locations between Cox Road and Victoria Street, and the installation of raised pedestrian crossings at The Boulevard. These works started in June, 2026 and are expected to take up to three months to complete.

Please note, dates and timeframes of these works are dependent on a range of factors, including favourable weather and site conditions.

Disruptions

We understand roadworks can be disruptive, we thank you for your patience as we deliver this important project. Please be aware of changed traffic conditions in this area. 

Dayworks will be completed Monday to Friday, between 6am and 6pm, with weekend work required at times.

Nightworks will be completed between 6pm and 6am, during the week and on weekends. Most of the works to construct raised safety platforms and traffic signal upgrades will be delivered at night.

Traffic management will include:

• reduced speed limits
• single lane closures, with two-way traffic management in place
• temporary closures and detours
• temporary traffic lights, directional signs and traffic management crews to help you move through the area
• delays of up to five minutes
• nightworks, including noise, vibration and light impacts
• on-street parking restrictions.

This project will result in the removal of informal (not line-marked) on-street parking on Thompson Road, in the immediate vicinity of these treatments.

Stage 3 disruptions - from 18 May 2026

Please be aware of the following disruptions as part of these works:

Road closures and detours

Temporary closures of side‑street access onto Thompson Road will be required for short periods at:

• Elmore Street
• Gull Street
• Doyle Avenue
• Galway Avenue
• Milan Street

When required, signed detours will be provided on surrounding streets.

Temporary bus stop changes

While bus services will continue, there will be temporary bus stop relocations while works are underway.

• From 25 May,2026, the northbound Milan St/Thompson Rd bus stop (30119) will move south of the existing bus stop, just outside the works area, while a new stop is built.
• From 25 May,2026, the southbound Milan St/Thompson Rd bus stop (30088) will move south of the existing bus stop, just outside the works area, while a new stop is built.
• From Monday 18 May 2026, the northbound Galway Ave/Thompson Rd bus stop (30118) will temporarily move further north, just outside the works area. More information here. 

These changes will be signed, as required.

Nightworks – late June/early July

Works to construct seven raised safety platforms are expected to start in late June/early July and take up to two weeks to complete at each site. Most of these works will be completed at night, with day works required at some sites.

Stage 4 disruptions – from June 2026

Works will be completed between June and August. Start and completion dates will vary across each site sites. Crews will work across multiple sites at the same time to complete critical components of the upgrades.

Nightworks and locations

Nightworks are planned at five locations between 7pm and 5.30am, in the period from Monday 29 June to Friday 3 July. It is expected that works at each site will take one night, with the specific dates to be finalised. Please note that dates and times of nightworks are subject to change due to favourable weather and site conditions.

From Monday 29 June to Friday 3 July:

• Victoria Street/Baden Powell Road intersection: installation of fully-controlled right turn arrows.
  • detour for traffic exiting the residential area from Baden Powell Drive onto Thompson Road or Victoria Street.
  • detour for eastbound traffic on Victoria Street.
• Separation Street intersection: installation of fully-controlled right turn arrows.
  • detour for southbound traffic on Thompson Road, turning right from Thompson Road into Separation Street.
• Morgan Street intersection: installation of fully-controlled right turn arrows.
• near Sparks Road - pedestrian operated signal improvements.
• Donnybrook Road intersection: installation of new signal poles and upgrades to LED signals.

Dates to be confirmed:

• Cox Road intersection: installation of new signal poles and upgrades to LED signals upgrades.
  • night detour for northbound traffic on Thompson Road, turning left and right into Cox Road.
• near Vistula Avenue - pedestrian operated signal improvements.
• The Boulevard intersection: installation of fully-controlled right turn arrows and construction of raised pedestrian crossings. Day works and night works required. Day detour required.
  • detour for traffic turning left from Thompson Road onto The Boulevard.
  • detour for traffic turning left from The Boulevard onto Thompson Rd.

Access

Every effort will be made to minimise impacts to residents, businesses and the wider community during the project.

While access to residential properties and businesses will be retained, there will be periods of disruption to local roads and traffic flow. The contractor will contact impacted residents directly should access be disrupted.

What we’re doing 

These safety upgrades include:

Victoria Street to Separation Street

• installing fully controlled right turns at:
  • Victoria Street and Baden Powell Drive intersection
  • Separation Street intersection
• installation of two pedestrian refuge islands
  • at Galway Avenue
  • between Castle Court and Vistula Avenue
• installation of three raised safety platforms
  • between Walsh Grove and Kendra Street
  • between Galway Avenue and Castle Court
  • between Vistula Avenue and Thorburn Street
• relocation of two bus stops between Thorburn Street and Milan Street to allow for traffic lane changes
• minor upgrades at the pedestrian operated signals near Vistula Avenue
• line-marking changes to create a single lane in each direction from Thorburn Street to Separation Street, and provide a right turn lane into Milan Street.

View a larger version of the map

Morgan Street to Cox Road

• Installing fully controlled right turns at:
  • Thompson Road on to Morgan Street
  • Thompson Road on to The Boulevard
• Installation of two pedestrian refuge islands
  • between Kelly Court and The Boulevard
  • between Gull Street and Elmore Street
• Installation of four raised safety platforms
  • between Kentucky Avenue and Reserve Road
  • approximately five metres north of Narooma Street
  • between Sparks Road and Darebin Street
  • approximately five metres south of Thrush Street
• Installation of raised pedestrian crossings at The Boulevard
• Minor upgrades at the pedestrian operated signals near Sparks Road
• Installation of traffic signal poles and upgraded LED lighting at Donnybrook Road and Cox Road intersections

View a larger version of the map

Completed works

• Completed 2019
  • Between Separation Street and Morgan Street: reduced the number of lanes from two to one in each direction and installed a wide painted centre median with turning arrows, to reduce the likelihood and severity of crashes in this busy commercial zone.
• Completed 2024
  • Stage 1 (between Victoria Street and Separation Street): line-marking changes to create a single lane in each direction and right-turn lanes into some side streets
• Completed 2025
  • Stage 2 (between Morgan Street and Cox Rd): line-marking changes, similar to Stage 1, including a painted wide centre median with turning provisions in the industrial area.

Benefits

By introducing a single lane in each direction, applying a painted centre median and dedicated turning lanes, upgrading traffic lighting and improving access for pedestrians, these safety measures will:

• reduce the risk and severity of crashes
• provide safer turning opportunities for traffic
• improve delineation of road environment for drivers
• provide safer crossing points for pedestrians
• increase liveability for residents in Norlane, North Geelong and Bell Park, with better controlled speed and a safer driver and pedestrian environment. 

Background

Thompson Road is a 5km arterial road used by approximately 16,000 vehicles a day. It serves a growing commercial precinct and two residential zones and is also an important bus corridor.

The road has a high number of access points, including side roads, crossroads, managed intersections and commercial and residential driveways.

In the five years between January 2019 to December 2023, there have been 68 crashes between Victoria Street and Cox Road, including five fatal crashes and 34 serious injury crashes.

The road has minimal opportunities for vehicles to safely turn right and limited places for pedestrians to safely cross the road.

Speed is also a critical safety issue, demonstrated through our own investigations as well as feedback from residents, drivers and Victoria Police.

A seven-day analysis of speed carried out in 2017 showed maximum speeds recorded every hour ranged between 70km/h and 130km/h (more than double the posted speed limit).

Funding

These upgrades are delivered by the Australian and Victorian Government as part of the Targeted Road Safety Program, in partnership with the Transport Accident Commission (TAC). The Australian Government is contributing $4.02 million, with the Victorian Government providing $0.98 million.

Frequently asked questions