HEAVY vehicles will now have to avoid Hamilton CBD, with the Southern Grampians Shire Council announcing a detour now in place as undergrounding works start as part of the Cox Street Redevelopment Project.

The first part of the digging is for Powercor and Telstra work, with water main works to follow over the coming weeks, which will impact the Cox and Gray Street intersection.

Southern Grampians Shire Council mayor, Bruach Colliton said drivers should familiarise themselves with the changes, as traffic entering the CBD will be affected.

“The Heavy Vehicle Detour is now operational, so we encourage residents and visitors to consider their alternative routes around Cox Street, and move trucks and buses to the detour,” Cr Colliton said.

The temporary Heavy Vehicle Detour for trucks and buses entering Hamilton will follow:

• From Coleraine Road: Mount Baimbridge Road, Portland Road, South Boundary Road, Mt Napier Road, Petschels Lane, Hamilton Highway and Ballarat Road.
• From Glenelg Highway: Hamilton Highway, Petschels Lane, Mt Napier Road, South Boundary Road, Portland Road, Mount Baimbridge Road and Coleraine Road.
• From Hamilton Highway: Petschels Lane, Mt Napier Road, South Boundary Road, Portland Road, Mount Baimbridge Road and Coleraine Road.

“Heavy vehicles will be detoured while these important works are underway but there will be managed access for local business traffic including deliveries throughout the duration of the works,” Cr Colliton said.

“With the demolition of number 68 Cox Street now completed, we look forward to focussing on the undergrounding works and progressing to the next phase of the redevelopment project.”

For more information, contact council via email council@sthgrampians.vic.gov.au or by calling the Customer Service Team on 5573 0444.

Council will provide further information on traffic disruptions as the redevelopment continues.