Changes to traffic conditions in Morwell Avenue on Friday 19 April

We’re reaching another important construction milestone for Watsonia Town Square – though it’s one that will not be visible when the Town Square is finished. We’ve been preparing for 13 precast onsite water detention units to be craned into the big pit opposite the RSL on Morwell Avenue. The units are an important part of our regional drainage system and will help reduce the risk of Watsonia Road flooding in extreme weather.

On Friday, 19 April, two cranes will move the units into the pit. The largest unit weighs a massive 8 tonnes!

Restricted road access

To keep everyone safe, we’re restricting road access in Morwell Avenue while the cranes are operating on Friday. The cranes will arrive around 8am and will operate approximately 9am, 11am, 12 noon and 1pm. These times may change depending on site conditions on the day.

The detention units were manufactured off-site and are being trucked in. The trucks will park in Morwell Ave (service station side) and the smaller crane will lift the units off the trucks and place them in reach of the bigger crane. The bigger crane will lift the units into their final positions.

In the weeks after the units are in place, we will make the final drainage connections and backfill around the pit. Once the landscaping is finished, only locals will know what’s there!

Coming up in April/May

Changes for pedestrians

• We’re re-opening the footpath on the library side of Watsonia Road, between the pedestrian lights and the library.
• The footpath on the shop side of Watsonia Road between Grace Street and Morwell Avenue will be temporarily closed around the end of April.
• We’re continuing to work on the corner of Morwell Avenue and Watsonia Road, with new kerbs and surfaces completed soon.

Parking

• The top section of the Morwell Avenue carpark will open by Anzac Day with access from High Street.
• The temporary angle parking opposite the RSL-side of Morwell Avenue will close when the top Morwell Avenue carpark section opens.
• The temporary carpark adjacent to the transmission tower at the top of Morwell Avenue (entry from Morwell Avenue) is available throughout April.
• Parking inspectors are patrolling the timed parking areas to make sure everyone gets a fair go at using parking spaces.

Road access

• Road access to Morwell Avenue is via High Street.

Extreme weather can impact on construction plans, but we will keep you informed of any big changes.