The Surf Coast Highway is clear of boom gates, with a two-week road closure removing the booms, bells and lights at the congested level crossing.
Crews worked around the clock to remove the tracks and resurface the road between Baanip Boulevard and Hansen Drive, with the road reopening to traffic on Friday 16 August, a day ahead of schedule.
A bike lane was reintroduced to the highway in both directions and work completed on the walking and cycling path parallel to the highway.
The new path is part of more than 5 kilometres of walking and cycling connections being built from South Geelong to Waurn Ponds, providing a continuous pathway between the two suburbs for the first time.
Artwork by local Wadawurrung artist Billy-Jay O’Toole was also completed on the new 103-metre rail bridge during this time across 426 steel panels, with local landscape, coastline and traditional names prominent.
More than eight kilometres of track duplication is complete, with testing of the new rail and signalling infrastructure and V/Line driver training underway
Passengers are reminded that coaches will replace trains between Geelong and Warrnambool until Sunday 25 August, with train services to begin travelling over the new rail bridge from Monday 26 August.
The Geelong line upgrade will see three stations upgraded at Waurn Ponds, Marshall and South Geelong. Two level crossings will be removed including the one at the Surf Coast Highway and eight kilometres of new tracks will be laid.
The works are expected to create over 1300 jobs and ensure the line can have five extra services per hour during peak periods and three between peak periods.
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