A MAJOR $2 million upgrade to watermains underneath one of the rural city’s busiest traffic routes began on Thursday morning.

The complex works will see the intersection of Sisely Avenue and Tone Road closed to traffic for the next four months as contractors set out to replace around 270 metres of new pipe below the North East Rail Line and along Sisely Avenue to Bruck Court.

An existing watermain will also be diverted to a new alignment away from Sisley Avenue at the Tone Road intersection.

North East Water acting general manager planning and infrastructure, Tim Golland, said the works were essential to support the region’s growing demand for water services.

The project is scheduled for completion in September and nearby residents have been put on notice to expect higher frequency of heavy vehicles, noise and dust to be produced from the area while construction works are taking place.

Among the works to take place over the next four months will include trenching, horizontal directional drilling and pipe-jacking.

Mr Golland appealed to the community to obey all signs and directions provided by traffic management staff and to avoid the area in the coming weeks and seek an alternate route.

“We understand that these changes may cause some inconvenience, and we thank the community for their patience and understanding as we progress with this vital project, which will bring lasting benefits to the community,” he said.

According to the project’s website, the works will replace ageing infrastructure and upsize pipeline capacity to accommodate future network changes and demand.

Motorists will be asked to detour via Greta Road and the Green Street bridge.

Heavy vehicles looking to head towards Wangaratta-Yarrawonga Road will be instructed to detour via Boorhaman Road and Peechelba Road.

As part of the current eight-year pricing period, Mr Golland said North East Water is investing more than $300 million in essential water and wastewater infrastructure which is more than double the $141 million initially forecast at the start of the period.

“Looking beyond 2026, further significant investment will be required to upgrade ageing infrastructure and meet the needs of our rapidly growing towns,” he said.

“These future projects are being shaped through our next price submission which is currently being developed.”

For project updates, you can visit newater.com.au/sisely.