THE Southern Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) has commenced works on the new Hamilton Regional Livestock Exchange (HRLX) stock underpass.

The underpass will be installed under Portland Road to enable safe transfer of livestock to overflow paddocks located on the west side into HRLX.

Works for the project will include the installation of a large-scale culvert which will form the main structure, tree removal, road reinstatement, drainage, a water tank, fencing and the installation of solar lighting.

A section of Portland Road (Henty Highway) will be closed from Monday, June 6, for approximately five days, weather permitting, to allow for the completion of culvert works.

Temporary traffic arrangements including detour signage will be in place to divert traffic around the site via South Boundary and Hamilton-Port Fairy Road.

This re-route will include Heavy Vehicles detoured from works currently being undertaken along Cox Street. Local businesses will have managed access while the closure is in place.

SGSC mayor, Bruach Colliton, said it was great to see the underpass works progressing to improve safety and overflow efficiency at the Livestock Exchange.

“We’ve seen a huge level of progress and significant improvements being made to HRLX which have contributed to making our facility an industry leader within south-west Victoria,” he said.

“This next stage of works will improve overall safety to road users around HRLX, with the ability to move stock with ease in and out of the overflow paddocks when HRLX is at capacity.

“We ask all drivers to take care around the area and follow traffic management signage while these important works are completed.”

Works will be completed in three stages over the coming weeks, with stage one involving the removal of three to four large cypress trees within HRLX; stage two facilitating earthworks for stock races for either side of the underpass; and stage three progressing the installation of culvert works and road sealing.