The first pieces of work will involve removing trees, installing new stormwater pipes, and relocating utility services, so that they are in the right place once road layouts start changing. It will mean power is nearby for traffic signals. We will also be undergrounding power around Gray and McBride Streets.
We need to do work with utilities and services to get them across SH6 and through the golf course as well as move the golf course entrance. We expect this largely underground work to take 12-18 months.
Then we will move into the construction works to change the road layout and replace the roundabout with traffic signals. We expect the work on the actual roundabout to begin in September 2025.
Phase 1 - April 2024 - spring 2025
The first pieces of work will involve site establishment, removing trees at the golf course, installing a new 1.4m diameter stormwater pipe and relocating utility services, so that they are in the right place once road layouts start changing. Pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to use the area with access to the Events Centre and playing fields available, and a long-term temporary path will start being built around the side of the golf course. The golf course entrance will be moved, and work on moving utilities under Gray and McBride Streets will begin.
This phase involves no active works on the state highway during daytime hours. Phase one is expected to run from April 2024 until September 2025.
Parts of phase one overlap with phase two.
Phase 2 - from spring 2025
This is when the project will move into construction on the state highway. Excavation of the new road at the golf course corner starts. The existing roundabout will remain and continue to manage traffic. SH6 traffic will be shifted closer to the Frankton Cemetery using the road reserve, so that two lanes of traffic can continue during construction. Access to Frankton Cemetery will continue.
Utility pipe replacement will continue across the state highway and on the northern side of SH6A.
Construction of pavement, signals and the updated road intersection at Joe O’Connell Drive will start.
Parking inside Frankton Village will remain, and Bus Hub operations and bus routes will continue as usual. Gray and McBride Street intersection roads and footpaths will be rebuilt.
Phase 3 - winter 2026 – summer 2027
The new state highway at the golf course corner will be complete, and traffic will shift onto this. The existing roundabout will continue to manage all intersection traffic. On SH6 the northern (Frankton cemetery) side of the road will be excavated and rebuilt. On SH6A the northern side of the road will be excavated and rebuilt.
Construction will start on the new Bus Hub. This will happen in stages so that bus and shuttle operations can continue.
Phase 4 - summer 2027 – spring 2028
Traffic will shift onto the northern side of the road on both SH6 and SH6A. The existing roundabout will be deconstructed and replaced with a temporary roundabout located near the Frankton Cemetery so that traffic flow is maintained. The southern side of SH6A will be excavated and rebuilt.
Bus Hub buildings work will continue, and Bus Hub operations will temporarily shift down the road towards Ross Street. More information will be provided as this phase approaches.
Phase 5 - spring 2028 – winter 2028
The whole intersection, roads and Bus Hub are operational. New traffic islands and finishing works will occur overnight with traffic lights one of the last elements of the project to turn on.