Highway upgrade to cause delays

Notorious potholes on Albany Highway outside the town centre could be a thing of the past once planned upgrades get under way this week.

Motorists are being advised to prepare for delays to traffic on the highway from now until late March, as 1.2km of Albany Highway between Macedon Street and Barker Road is resurfaced.

The left-hand lane heading into Albany will be closed for the nine weekdays between January 7 and January 18, while the left-hand lane leaving Albany will be closed from January 21-27 and 30-31.

During this period Albany Highway will be restricted to three lanes.

City of Albany executive director of infrastructure and environment Matthew Thomson said the road would not be entirely closed at any time.

He said one lane would always be open on the side being upgraded.

“We need to take advantage of the warm, dry months to get the work done with as little impact on the community as possible,” he said.

“Our priority has been to maintain traffic flow at reduced speeds and ensure businesses along the highway are still accessible.”

Access to the streets Macedon, Lion, Halifax, Ashwell, Victoria, Johnson and Barker Road will be periodically restricted during the upgrades, with the City recommending motorists plan alternative routes.