Bendigo's Napier Street project will be finished in weeks according to Regional Roads Victoria

Works from Weeroona Avenue through to Weeroona College will be the last part of the project.

Regional Roads Victoria northern regional director Brian Westley said the hard parts of the project had been completed.

"We're up to what I would say is the relatively easy part with the civil works," he said.

"What's left is the last part of the asphalting and line marking and minor works to do with footpath completion and vegetation.

"At the moment we are working to be done by the end of July but will be doing everything we can to do it as soon as possible."

Mr Westley said relocating services was the challenging part of the project.

"The stuff people see (like asphalting) is, more often than not, the easy stuff," he said.

"About a third of the project and half the time has been in service relocation. All the power (was put underground) which makes that (drive into Bendigo) more attractive and far safer. (We have) relocated things like NBN and water as we have gone along.

"As for the actual asphalting works, large sections of that can be done in a couple of days."

When the project to improve traffic flow, safety and transport options on a 2.7 kilometre section of Napier Street between Weeroona Avenue and Hall Street, White Hills, was launched two years ago, the original end date was listed as mid-2019.

RELATED: 2017 | Napier Street upgrade early works start

"We were always aiming for the middle of 2019, so we have stuck to that schedule all along," Mr Westley said.

"We've been happy with how it has progressed and it will be exciting when it's finally complete.

"Throughout the project Napier Street continued to see 20,000 vehicles a day using it, so it has continued to serve as major entrance from northern side of Bendigo."

During the project, businesses expressed their frustrations at the disruptions with Loaded Plate cafe owner Sharon Chibnall decided to temporarily close her doors at the end of 2018.

In October, 2018, Ms Chibnall told the Bendigo Advertiser the roadworks were having a negative affect on businesses along Napier Street.

She said she knew the upgrade had to happen but hadn't realised how long the projected would take.

White Hills Takeaway manager Rae Baker refused to close her doors despite being hemmed in by trenches and roadworks for eight weeks in February, 2018.

When the works moved done the road, her business picked back up.

RELATED: Napier Street upgrade continues to vex White Hills traders

"We were cutoff at all sides but were determined not to close. We persevered, turned up every day and kept smiling," she told the Bendigo Advertiser in October last year.

"The biggest issue was having no parking. We were thankful to the regulars that kept coming."

During the project, White Hills businesses near Plumridge Street were vocal in reminding shoppers that off-street parking was available.

Mr Westley thanks businesses for their patience during the two-year upgrade.

"We're really thankful to the traders and the residents who live along there," he said.

"It's a major project. We're talking about major infrastructure, these things take time to get right (and) we've done so (while) trying to minimise the inconvenience for anyone.

"We really do thank everyone for patience."

Mr Westley said as the project nears its end, people have been able to see how the finished upgrade will work.

"We have had positive feedback on how (the road) looking and how it's starting to operate," he said.

"A lot people have started to say can't remember the old Napier Street. Prior to (the upgrade) it was one lane in both directions with inconsistent footpaths.

"We have improved pedestrian and school crossings and now have a safe, separated section for cyclists, which makes that (traffic) corridor set up to service (the community) for the next 20 or 30 years."

Regional Roads Victoria is already looking beyond the completion of Napier Street with the organisation planning for the future on other key roads in the city.

"Traffic on all approaches to Bendigo including High Street in Kangaroo Flat, Bendigo-Redesdale Road and Napier Street is increasing," Mr Westley said.

"Bendigo is growing at a rate of two percent (each year), which is quite high for a regional town.

"(People) talk of what Bendigo looks and feels like with a population of 200,000. It's important we meet that need today.

"One of exciting things about us joining the Department of Transport is that (we are) not just looking at roads-based solutions, we're looking at how it can be safer for cyclists, better and more accessible for public transport."

State government funding of $10.5 million has allowed RRV to look at project development on major traffic corridors in greater Bendigo.

"We're really lucky to have (state government funding) over last 12 months to do project development on three major corridors," he said.

Potential projects include Marong Road from Eaglehawk Road to Maiden Gully, Bendigo-Redesdale Road from Condon Street out to Axedale and the McIvor Highway from the All Seasons to Longley Lane.

"We are undertaking strategic planning and project development on those. That will leads to the development of a business case and potential future funding."

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