A suite of safety upgrades has been completed on Victoria’s Midland Highway between Buninyong and Clarendon.
The section of highway was identified as one of the state’s most high-risk regional roads, with eight injuries and one fatality recorded since 2017.
As part of the upgrades, 21 kilometres of flexible safety barriers has been installed along the left-hand side and centreline of the highway.
Ben Carroll, Minister for Roads and Road Safety, said safety barriers and road infrastructure can reduce serious injuries and save lives.
“Everyone has a role to play in road safety,” he said. “We’ve made the Midland Highway safer and urge every driver to make safe choices on the road – adjust your speed, wear your seat belt and ignore distractions.”
Additional completed works include an additional overtaking lane in each direction, shoulder widening and surfacing works.
Improvements have also been made to the intersection of the Midland Highway and Clarendon-Lal Lal Road, and the area around Scotsburn Primary School, including new turn lanes, traffic islands and additional signage.
“The evidence is clear,” said Michaela Settle, Member for Buninyong. “Safety barriers save lives, which is why we have made unprecedented investment in rolling out flexible barriers along the Midland Highway to protect local motorists, tourists, and freight operators.”
The Midland Highway arcs across the state from Geelong to Mansfield, passing through Ballarat, Bendigo and Shepparton, and serves as a key freight route for agricultural industries.
The $23.1 million upgrades form part of the Victorian Government’s $1.4 billion investment in road safety, in partnership with the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).
For more information, visit: tac.vic.gov.au
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