the Victorian Government. Armstrong deviation In 2001 work started on a 4.2 kilometre long deviation at Armstrong (on the Adelaide side of Ararat), involving 200,000 cubic metres of earthworks and a new bridge over the main Melbourne–Adelaide railway. Previously high vehicles could not travel under the rail overpass and were forced to detour around it, in addition the poor road conditions led to a number of accidents and fatalities. Costing $6.1 million the work was completed by 2003. Future upgrades There are still several at-grade intersections on the "freeway", particularly in the areas near Rockbank and at Woodmans Hill just to the east of Ballarat. Proposed upgrade and safety improvements Rockbank to Melton, to be funded by Auslink 2 (2009–2014). Proposed extension west from the current freeway terminus in the Melbourne side of Beaufort west through to Ararat and eventually to Stawell, also part of Auslink 2. Beaufort to Buangor was completed in April 2016. Buangor Bypass completed in mid-2016, and Buangor to Ararat is expected to start in early 2017. Duplication of the Western Highway between Ballarat and Stawell was proposed to be completed between 2009 and 2014, to be funded by Auslink 2. At the end of 2016, parts of this are still in early planning, including the bypasses at Beaufort and Ararat. The clearing of wide swathes of the ancient red gums by Vic Roads near Beaufort has resulted in community angst and public meetings are being held. Near Buangor, 74 km west of Ballarat, two women chained themselves to a red gum on 16 March 2015 for 4½ hours to draw attention to the issue. Mrs Isabel Mackenzie, a long-term resident of the area, said she was concerned at the environmental impact of trees that are hundreds of years old. Helen Lewers, said that VicRoads should reroute the highway between Buangor and Stawell to preserve the native roadside vegetation. Towns & Suburbs Towns along the freeway include: Buangor Trawalla Ballarat Bungaree Ballan Bacchus Marsh Suburbs along the freeway include : Melton Rockbank Brookfield Caroline Springs Exits and major intersections See also Ballarat Road Dukes Highway Freeways in Australia Freeways in Victoria Road transport in Victoria References Highways and freeways in Melbourne Highways in Victoria (Australia) Shire of Moorabool Transport in the City of Melton Transport in the City of Brimbank City of Ballarat Rural City of Ararat Rural City of Horsham Shire of Pyrenees Shire of