The Berwick Village bluestone sign will remain in place throughout construction on the Clyde Road Upgrade.
The historically significant sign in its current site on Clyde Road in front of Federation University will stay in place while works commence to build the new cycling and walking path between Enterprise Avenue and Bermersyde Drive.
New drainage will be constructed near the sign to retain this landmark and construction will proceed without damaging the stonework.
Project engineers will only remove the steel wrap-around that sits behind the sign, allowing crews to carry out the necessary works without disturbing the bluestone base, ensuring that the historical integrity of the signage is fully maintained.
“The sign will take centre stage on Clyde Road once we’ve completed works to build the new cycling and walking path around it in front of Federation University,” Major Road Projects Victoria Program Director Brendan Pauwels said.
This approach not only protects the signage but also aligns with community and heritage considerations to ensure that Berwick’s identity remains intact throughout the project.
Built from local stone, the sign will be kept in place while crews are working to add an additional lane in each direction, upgrade the intersections at Clyde Road and Kangan Drive, and Clyde Road and the Princes Freeway and build new and upgraded shared walking and cycling paths.
Berwick has a proud history of supplying bluestone, also known as basalt stone, from the former Wilson Botanic Park quarry. It was used as crushed rock and ballast to support rail construction as Victoria Railways extended the railway line to Gippsland.
The quarry was founded by William Wilson in 1859, with the quarry renowned for producing some of the highest quality basalts in the Melbourne region prior to its closure in 1976.
The Clyde Road Upgrade has recently completed the removal of the centre median and installation of temporary asphalt and line marking, allowing two lanes of traffic to stay open while widening works continue.
The Australian Government has committed to upgrade Clyde Road between Enterprise Avenue and Bemersyde Drive, adding an additional lane in each direction, and upgrading the intersections at Clyde Road and Kangan Drive, and Clyde Road and the Princes Freeway.
The upgrade will involve:
Adding additional lanes between the Princes Freeway and Kangan Drive.
Widening the existing bridge over the Princes Freeway.
Upgrading the intersection at Kangan Drive.
Upgrading the freeway intersections to improve access on and off the freeway.
Building new and upgrading existing shared walking and cycling paths.
Installing new street lighting, road signage, drainage and landscaping.
