The announcement of a roundabout on the major route between Griffith and Melbourne has come as a welcome change for many MIA drivers. 

Greg Young runs a businesses that sees many trucks travel from Griffith to Melbourne. He says as traffic along the road has increased, so has the need for something at the intersection. 

“It’s got to have something. It’s got to have either a roundabout or lights. For the volume of traffic moving through there I think a roundabout is probably the right thing,” he said. 

“Lights stop traffic. Roundabouts can keep it flowing.” 

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Work on the $1.6 million upgrade has recently kicked off and is expected to last until late August, weather permitting. 

Griffith City Council has suggested motorists consider using alternative routes if possible when travelling along Old Willbriggie Road or Murrumbidgee Avenue and to factor in time for extra travel. 

Thorne Road (Between Sidlow Road and Kidman Way) will be closed to through traffic. Thorne Road, west of Bagtown Roundabout will also be closed except for local residential traffic. 

Road users can expect to see traffic restricted to one lane and reduced to 40 kilometres per hour. 

Even with the inconvenience, Mr Young said the finished project will be well worth it. 

“It’s a little bit of inconvenience for a better bigger picture. I’m just glad something is happening.” 

Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley said the project will relocate existing services in the area. 

“The project will involve widening and upgrading the existing pavement and the construction of a concrete roundabout and medians, as well as relocating and installing services such as telecommunications, water, power, streetlights and drainage,” Ms Ley said

The new roundabout makes up part of a $5.9M investment called the Griffith Southern Industrial Link, designed to upgrade roads around the council area.