City of Ballarat city services general manager Terry Demeo confirmed that a 600-metre section will be converted into a dual carriageway to accommodate for the expected traffic increase that will come with the opening of the Delacombe Town Centre.

The roll-out of the carriageway is part of the major project being delivered by H Troon.

Mr Demeo said roadworks would be complete by April in 2017, with H Troon development and operations director Tom McInerny confirming the overall facility remained on track for completion in September next year.

The duplication is part of the City of Ballarat’s work to manage growth and development in Ballarat’s western region, particularly around the new Major Activity Centre (MAC) on the south-west corner of Glenelg Highway and Cherry Flat Road,” Mr Demeo said.

“Approximately 3000 vehicles currently travel along Cherry Flat Road each day and this is expected to increase significantly when the MAC opens in 2017 and as residential estates in the area develop.”

Mr McInerny said the carriageway is “really, really important” to the complex.

The project will also feature more than 800 car parks, which are likely to be completed in the latter stages of the roll-out.

Meanwhile, construction of stage 1B of the Ballarat Western Link Road will begin in late 2016 or early 2017 for 2018 completion.

Mr Demeo said the section was in the final stages of planning and design.

This 2.5 kilometre southern section will be located between Remembrance Drive, Alfredton and a new access point in to the Ballarat West Employment Zone near the intersection of Ring Road and Trewin Street.

In its entirety, the 16-kilometre road will provide a direct link from the Western Highway to the Midland Highway. The project will be delivered in stages subject to demand and funding.