Major roadworks in Sebastopol are another interruption small businesses don't need, one business owner said, as plans are revealed to close a busy section of Hertford Street for six weeks.
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The disruption will be for the installation of traffic lights at the Hertford Street and Albert Street intersection, replacing a roundabout as part of the state government's $60 million Keeping Ballarat Moving project.
While businesses hoped for a shorter turnaround, according to Regional Roads Victoria, to minimise disruption, Hertford Street between Albert Street and Clarkson Street will be fully closed for six weeks across February and March.
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The entire project is expected to take 10 months to complete, with this temporary closure "fast-tracking" works that would otherwise take about five months, the department said.
Detours will be in place for heavy vehicles which will require access to the supermarket.
However, the concern is the continued interruption to small businesses that have experienced two years of COVID disruption.
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Curbside Coffee owner Tracey Nunn said she was frustrated by the plan, noting despite earlier meetings, the business was only told this week about the new plan.
"They said five months for a start, that was in mid-year when they put out the map for the roadworks," she said.
"It's the time when our business picks up in February, when school's back, people are back from holidays - it'll impact big time on small businesses, and we've been through enough, I think.
"Ballarat's getting busier and they're not concentrating on how they're doing things, they're just doing them."
City of Ballarat councillor and longtime Sebastopol advocate Des Hudson said the upgrade would hurt in the short-term but eventually lead to a "more accessible" shopping experience in the area.
"The traffic volumes that have increased over the years, with the growth that continues to come through Ballarat West - that intersection is just a hive of activity," he said.
"I can understand the disruption for business owners off the back of two years of COVID, but ... hopefully after that six week interruption, the result will be a more accessible and enjoyable shopping experience for everyone to enjoy."
He pointed to the additional upgrade funded at Docwra Street, to Sebastopol's south, as an example of the borough "getting its fair share".
"It's a significant investment for the area," he said.
"The alternative is you get one project in each four year (election) cycle while traffic continues to increase."
The Department of Transport's Grampians regional director Michael Bailey said in a statement businesses will continue to be informed as construction approaches.
"While we understand that closures and speed reductions can be frustrating, they're in place to allow us to carry out vital works that will deliver safer, more efficient journeys for Ballarat's drivers," he said.
As well as Hertford Street in Sebastopol, several other key roads will be closed through the summer during construction works.
The Keeping Ballarat Moving program will upgrade six intersections across the city, most with traffic lights - Hertford Street and Albert Street and Docwra Street and the Midland Highway in Sebastopol; the Glenelg Highway and Wiltshire Lane and Learmonth Street and Latrobe Street in Delacombe; Dyson Drive and Carngham Road in Alfredton; and Gregory Street West and Gillies Street in Wendouree.
While final resurfacing works are under way at Gillies Street, with the traffic lights yet to be synchronised with the railway crossing and activated, major works are about to begin in Delacombe.
According to Regional Roads Victoria, parts of Wiltshire Lane will be closed throughout January.
The northbound lane of Wiltshire Lane between Paddys Drive and Latrobe Street will be closed between January 4 to 10, while the southbound lane will be closed from January 11 to 14.
Learmonth Street will be fully closed between Latrobe Street and Winter Street from January 17 to 25.
Sometime in January, the corner of the Smythes Road service road will be closed permanently, with residents to be informed ahead of time - access to the north and south of the service road will be maintained from Wiltshire Lane and the Glenelg Highway.
Cherry Flat Road will also be closed from January 10 to 22, weather permitting.
Business access will be maintained from existing points on the Glenelg Highway, Webb Road, and Valiant Road - RRV encouraged drivers to use Kensington Boulevard as a link between Glenelg Highway and Valiant Road or Neway Avenue and Ascot Gardens Drive as a link between Glenelg Highway and Webb Road.
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"During this project, there will be significant changes in traffic conditions in this area along the Glenelg Highway and Wiltshire Lane, and road users are encouraged to plan or consider using alternative routes to minimise traffic impacts," according to RRV.
"Traffic flow will be maintained in all directions. However, lane closures will be in place, and delays of around 10 minutes are expected during works.
"Some weekend work may also be required."
It's not yet known what form the Dyson Drive and Carngham Road intersection upgrade will take, with initial plans for a roundabout.
Elsewhere in Ballarat, in a separate project, traffic lights are being installed at Nolan Street at the entrance to the train station car park and bus interchange, and a heritage permit application has been submitted for a new roundabout in Cardigan at Remembrance Drive and Madden Road.
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