New technology to detect black ice installed on the Midland Highway VIC

The State Government has installed a new black ice detection and warning system on the Midland Highway in Ballarat ahead of winter.

The new system is part of a major $14.5 million safety upgrade on the Midland Highway between Ballarat and Creswick.

At the intersection of the Midland Highway and Kennedys Road at Mount Rowan the new warning system will aim to help prevent run-off-road and head-on collisions due to black ice.

Infrared cameras work to monitor the road surface for the presence of water or ice and the system will remotely activate a warning light to warn drivers of potential hazards.

The new warning system comes on top of the construction of a roundabout at Kennedys Road and the Midland Highway, which is intended to make it easier and safer for drivers to travel through this busy intersection.

Other upgrades delivered as part of the $14.5 million Midland Highway package include a new roundabout at the interchange of the Western and Midland highways, flexible roadside safety barriers, intersection upgrades, rumble strip line marking to alert drivers if they begin to veer from their lane, and improved line marking.

Minister for Roads Jaala Pulford said the roads around Ballarat are prone to black ice, which is why government is investing in this technology to provide drivers travelling on the busy Midland Highway with warning when it is detected.

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said we want everyone travelling around Ballarat to get where they need to go safely, which is why this new ice detection is so important.

“Everyone from Ballarat and it’s surrounds know how tricky the conditions can be – I’m pleased we can now give drivers that extra bit of warning on the Midland Highway,” she said.

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