Works are set to recommence next week to construct a roundabout at the intersection of King Street and Shakespeare/Gordon Street.

Contractors will return on Monday 3 August, after having to suspend works and demobilise the site at the end of April due to COVID-19 related impacts.

Residents are reminded to allow extra travel time around this area to avoid delays during the construction and to be aware of the following:

· Shakespeare Street and Gordon Street will be closed at intersection of King Street for the duration of the works. Detours will be in place.

· King Street will be under traffic management and reduced to one lane.

· HILAC carpark entry will be through first driveway on Shakespeare Street (current exit) and through the Friendlies Oval gate on King Street.

· HILAC carpark exit will be through Friendlies Oval onto King Street.

Council’s Manager Assets Rohit Srivastava thanked the community for their patience throughout the delay and said Council looked forward to completing this very important project.

“We were able to complete all necessary kerb and channel works to widen the intersection and relocate underground services earlier this year. Unfortunately works were put on hold due to delays with the coordination and installation of NBN/Telstra services.

“Contractors are back on site from next week and we look forward to seeing the completion of the project, weather permitting in late September. We thank all members of the community for their continued patience as we complete this critical project for the residents of the Southern Grampians Shire,” Mr Srivastava said.

The upgrade project was made possible through a $260,000 grant received from the Federal Government’s Blackspot Program, announced by Dan Tehan MP in July 2019. The Black Spot Program targets road locations where crashes are occurring, reducing the risk of incidents through funding safety measures such as traffic signals and roundabouts.