A LONG-AWAITED link between Portland’s retail centre and its southern neighbourhoods is nearing completion, with major work scheduled for later this month.
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The supporting structures for the $4.3 million pedestrian overpass are already in place, with the overpass beam expected to be in place within weeks.
Portland Ring Road will be temporarily closed on July 27 when two cranes are due to lift the final beam over the highway and railway track.
Premier Denis Napthine inspected the building site and said the overpass would improve conditions for both pedestrians and motorists.
“Having an overpass between South Portland and the Fawthrop Lagoon is a win-win,” the South West Coast MP said.
“There’s a lot of heavy vehicle traffic along here so all the trucks heading to and from the port can drive along the ring road unimpeded.”
More than 20 workers have constructed and assembled the 240-metre-long footbridge, which will stand about six metres above the ring road and seven metres above the railway line.
VicRoads project manager George Gionis said the footbridge was likely to be fully operational by late September or early October.
“Some of the work is dependent on weather conditions but we’re certainly on track for that date,” he said.
