By Tate Papworth
The next stage of Hampshire Road’s makeover has begun.
A $1.6 million upgrade for the stretch of road between Hertford and Ballarat roads has been brought forward following state government funding.
Upgrades will include traffic signals at Foundry Road, bike lanes in both directions, two raised pedestrian crossings across Hampshire Crescent and new street lighting.
Work began in March and is expected to be completed by July this year.
Temporary road closures will be in place, but some work will take place at night to minimise disruption.
The final stage of the upgrades, which began in 2015 should finish in 2021.
Construction on the final stage, which ranges from Bennett Place to Devonshire Road will begin in early 2020.
Work was scheduled to begin sooner, but the Sunshine Business Association, traders and the council have agreed deferring the work would be best to avoid impacting on the Sunshine Lantern Festival and the busy December trading period.
Cr Hedditch welcomed the latest update.
“We have some deferments going on until after the festival in January,” he said. “I welcome that and think the ongoing progression and building of this particular street is vitally important to the presentation of Sunshine to all those investors who are going to come and consider putting their hard-earned into this particular area as we go forward with some of the major infrastructure investments.”
