Altona Road (Ford upgrade) project

The ford crossing is located between Altona Road and Racecourse Road at the lower end of Kororoit Creek and is in an extremely poor condition. The existing crossing is built on box culvert units and the condition of the units including road pavement, has deteriorated beyond repair. The crossing is prone to flooding even in minor flood events. In the past there were numerous occasions where this crossing was closed due to severe flooding.  

The new crossing will accommodate new vehicle carriage way and a shared user path with safety guard rails, as well as installation of a new electronic flood warning system.  

The project includes:  

  • replacement of existing culvert units 

  • construction of asphalt pavement for two-way vehicle traffic 

  • a shared path for cyclists and pedestrians separated by safety guard rails.

 

View project plans here:  

Bird's eye plan view(PDF, 2MB)

Elevation plan view(PDF, 206KB)

 

Road and path closures

Altona Road/Racecourse Road will be closed in both directions from the flood gates for the duration of the works. Works are scheduled from mid November 2024 until June 2025 (weather dependent). Bicycle and pedestrian paths that cross through this area will also be closed.  

Ford-path-closure-signage-map.png

View the cycling routes map.

 

Road closure and detour update

We will be closing Altona Road (Ford Crossing) to construct a new bridge that will provide a reliable crossing over the flood-prone area. The construction presents unique challenges, including working within the waterway and managing a limited construction footprint.

Additionally, the presence of large machinery raises significant safety concerns, making it unsafe to allow any vehicle or cyclist near the site.

Alternately, the on-road bike lanes on Kororoit Creek Road and Millers Road are official bike paths listed on the VicRoads website. All cyclists may use these designated routes during the closure.

 

Flora and Fauna

The Altona Road upgrade will affect a limited area of native vegetation, which has been minimised as much as possible to facilitate the necessary work. A significant aspect of this project includes the construction of a fish ladder designed to enhance the migration of fish, aquatic life and bird species, both upstream and downstream, thereby supporting their feeding, breeding, and genetic diversity.