Motorists in Box Hill will need to plan ahead from mid-January, with a key stretch of Nelson Road set to close for several weeks as major upgrade works get underway.
The section between Box Road and The Water Lane will be closed from 19 January 2026 for an estimated six to seven weeks, weather permitting, as crews carry out extensive improvements on one of the suburb’s busiest thoroughfares. The project is designed to transform the road into a safer, more modern connection for a rapidly expanding community.
The works will include widening and raising Nelson Road, constructing a new roundabout at the intersection of Box Road and Nelson Road, relocating essential service utilities, and installing new stormwater drainage to improve long-term resilience.
During the closure, motorists will be detoured via Box Road, Grandhill Parkway and The Water Lane, with access to Palazzo View maintained along the signed route. Heavy vehicles with a gross vehicle mass over 10 tonnes will need to divert via Annangrove Road or Terry Road, except where Nelson Road is the only access point to their destination.
Traffic controllers will be stationed on site throughout the works to manage vehicle movements and ensure the safety of drivers, pedestrians, and construction crews.
The timing of the closure has been chosen to coincide with the year’s quietest traffic period, enabling the project to be delivered more quickly and with less disruption. Completing the work in this window is expected to halve the construction time and save ratepayers about $350,000.
The upgrade forms part of a broader infrastructure push to keep pace with growth in Box Hill, as new housing and services continue to reshape the area. Motorists are urged to allow extra travel time, follow detour signage and take care while navigating the changed traffic conditions.
