ALMOST three kilometres of one of Mount Alexander Shire's busiest roads will be upgraded in the new year, with works starting next month.
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Council infrastructure and development director Phil Josipovic said the works on Bendigo - Sutton Grange road would "markedly improve" road safety and make a big difference to road users.
Three sections of the road will be upgraded, including the 650 metres from Grays Road to the shire boundary, the kilometre from Ontario Lodge Lane to Faraday - Sutton Grange Road, and 1.2 kilometres near Jennings Hill Road South.
The $1.78-million project starts mid-January. Works are expected to be finished by April.
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"We'll be removing and reconstructing the existing surface and road layers, widening and sealing road shoulders and upgrading the drainage to improve water run-off," Mr Josipovic said.
"With such a big project there will be inevitably traffic delays. The road will be reduced to one lane in parts."
He encouraged motorists to take alternate routes during the works, if possible.
The average daily traffic volume on Bendigo-Sutton Grange Road in 2018 was 1123 per day.
Usage has increased by 55 per cent in four years.
The council said access to properties would be maintained at all times and affected residents would be informed of the works via mail.
"We know this is a busy road and an important link to the Calder Freeway and our communities," Mr Josipovic said.
"We apologise for the temporary inconvenience and are confident this project will make a significant improvement in the road for years to come."
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The project was jointly funded by Regional Roads Victoria's Fixing Country Roads program and the federal Roads to Recovery program.
Macedon Ranges councillors voted at their December meeting to award the contract to Bitu-Mill Civil Pty Ltd - the same company that upgraded other sections of the road in 2016.