The speed limit on a 10km stretch between Yea and Molesworth on the Goulburn Valley Highway has been reduced to 80km/h in an effort to improve safety.
VicRoads Regional Director Bryan Sherritt announced the change from 100km/h to 80 km/h on a section of the highway earlier this week.
The change was agreed upon by VicRoads, Victoria Police and the Murrindini Shire Council following fatal crashes and safety concerns at the location in question.
“A number of options were discussed and all parties agreed that a reduction in the speed limit from 100 km/h to 80 km/h would be the best approach to improve safety on this stretch of road,” said Mr. Sherritt.
In a period of five years, there have been 11 crashes, eight deaths and 13 serious injuries at the location.
A great proportion of these crashes involved a vehicle crossing the centre line.
Mr. Sherritt said that VicRoads will also install high crash warning signs and a tactile link or “rumble strip” along the centre of the highway.
“It is anticipated that the speed and warning signs will be in place by the end of April 2015 and the centre line work completed by the end of the first week in May 2015.”
Around 4000 vehicles use the highway daily and during the snow season and holiday periods this can swell to over 10,000 vehicles each day, said Mr. Sherritt.