Construction will soon begin on intersection upgrades for the Calder Highway, with the aim of reducing accidents and improving freight efficiency in north-west Victoria.
Infrastructure Minister Michael McCormack said works at the Hattah–Robinvale Road intersection and Mildura’s 17th Street would make travel in the region safer.
“These two new intersections will reduce the risk of crashes and improve traffic flow at these busy intersections, which have seen a total of 13 crashes in the past five years,” Mr. McCormack said.
“The roundabouts are part of a joint $20 million investment in boosting safety on the Calder Highway from Mildura to Ouyen, and improving conditions for freight and transport on the intersecting Sturt Highway.”
Victorian Roads Minister Jaala Pulford said the new intersections would slow vehicles to safer speeds and guide traffic in one direction.
“Our research data indicates that intersection upgrades reduce the chance of crashes by up to 85 percent, and when crashes do unfortunately occur, they are likely to be at lower speed and reduced severity,” Ms. Pulford said.
“The design of the 17th Street intersection upgrade also incorporates the capability to be converted to a double-lane configuration should the volume of traffic increase in the future.”
Mallee Federal Member Anne Webster said upgrades would make life easier for the 280-plus heavy vehicles that pass through the intersections each day.
“As both the Calder and the Sturt highways serve as key links to important domestic and international trade markets, these upgrades will make it easier and safer for the region’s primary producers and freight operators to access trade opportunities,” Dr. Webster said.
Works are expected to be complete in early 2020.
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- Long term infrastructure solution for Stuart Highway