Project overview 
The $188 million Nagambie Bypass is the next stage in the progressive upgrading of the Goulburn Valley Highway, a vital transport route connecting the rich fruit and vegetable growing industries in the Goulburn Valley to Melbourne. It forms part of the national highway link between Melbourne and Brisbane.

The Bypass will extend the four-lane freeway route for 17km to the east of Nagambie between Mitchellstown Road and Moss Road.

Works are being completed in two sections:

• Northern highway section (BMD Constructions) - a 3.5 km duplication of the existing highway north of Nagambie which opened in November 2011, and now providing two lanes each way between Moss Road and Kirwans Bridge-Longwood Road
• Main freeway bypass (Abigroup) - a new 13.5 km freeway-standard road from Kirwans Bridge-Longwood Road to Mitchellstown Road

Construction commenced in December 2009 with the freeway bypass due to open in mid 2012.

Project savings of more than $33 million have been achieved through more efficient construction methods and by using locally sourced construction materials, reducing the original $222 million project cost.

The project is jointly funded by the Victorian and Australian Governments.

News Release: Northern section opens to traffic 

Features
The project scope includes:

• a freeway-standard bypass to the east of the Nagambie township
• duplication of the existing Goulburn Valley Highway between Kirwans Bridge-Longwood Road and Moss Road, including new local access roads 
• full diamond interchanges at Mitchellstown Road and Kirwans Bridge-Longwood Road with bridges over the freeway and ramps giving full access in all directions
• an overpass taking Nagambie-Locksley Road across the freeway
• an underpass taking Racecourse Road beneath the freeway 
• upgrading sections of Racecourse Road, McDonalds Road and Nagambie-Locksley Road 

Benefits
When completed the Bypass will: 

• improve freight movements from the Goulburn Valley to domestic and export markets with reduced travel times and transport costs 
• provide easier and safer access for residents and visitors to the Nagambie township
• provide safer road conditions with less traffic conflict between local road users, trucks and other through traffic 
• improve amenity within the town centre due to less traffic noise and truck fumes.

Current progress & traffic impacts

The Goulburn Valley Highway duplication is now open with a 110 km/h rural freeway speed limit from north of Kirwans Bridge/Longwood Road.

Works on the freeway bypass are progressing well and subject to weather conditions the project remains on track for completion in mid 2012. Current works include:

• beams placed for all six bridges
• works on the bridge decks, including road surfacing and barriers
• earthworks are 95% complete with nearly two million cubic metres of earth moved to date
• upgrading of the Racecourse Road/Goulburn Valley Highway intersection
• improvements to Nagambie-Locksley Road between McDonalds Road and the Highway are due for completion in early 2012, with signed detours now in place

Involving the community
VicRoads is keeping the local community informed through information forums, open days, project website updates, bulletins and local newspaper advertising. A regular e-newsletter is distributed to subscribers.  Subscribe to mailing list.

You are welcome to visit VicRoads Nagambie Bypass project office and speak to staff during business hours, or by appointment.

More information
Visit or write to:    VicRoads - Nagambie Bypass Project Office, 145 High Street, Nagambie, VIC 3608
Phone:            (03) 5743 6000
Email:            nagambiebypass@roads.vic.gov.au

A telephone translation service is available for non-English speaking people. To access this service please call 13 14 50.