A stretch of Sunshine’s Hampshire Road will be transformed into an “urban boulevard”.
Works on stage four of the council’s Hampshire Road Master Plan to upgrade the well-used stretch of road from Hertford Road to Ballarat Road are anticipated to begin in May 2018.
The final design, which is currently being drafted, will be based on the master plan and include separated bike lanes.
The finished project will also include upgrading the street’s footpaths and kerbs.
Councillor John Hedditch said the project highlighted the importance of community and place.
“It is so important for us to develop our main streets and our spaces as places where our community can congregate and experience life,” Cr Hedditch said.
Making a priority of pedestrians has been a key part in guiding the design, as a result, raised pedestrian crossings will be installed along the stretch of road.
It is hoped that the greater flow of pedestrians will translate to an increase in shoppers along the strip.
Trees will also be planted throughout the area to “strengthen the boulevard experience”.
The project, which is estimated to cost $1.2 million, is conditional on the receipt of an anticipated $950,000 in state government funding.
Further upgrades to transform the stretch of road between Bennett Place and Devonshire Road are also slated.
The upgrades are set to create more space to cater for pedestrians and cyclists, with the intent to create a new plaza and urban open space with trees, grass and seating.
The new plaza has been estimated to cost about $5 million and will be delivered over two years, with construction to begin in the next financial year.
