New wire rope barriers on the Goulburn Valley Highway are already saving lives, with seven recorded hits to the new centreline barrier since March.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan visited Molesworth today to inspect the $18.5 million project, which has installed 10 kilometres of barrier down the centre of the Highway between Yea and Molesworth.
During the visit, Mr Donnellan announced an additional 3.2 kilometres of centreline safety barrier would be installed along the Goulburn Valley Highway from Molesworth to Cathkin to save even more Victorian lives.
Work on this new section is due to start in October and continue into 2018. During this period, road work speed limits will apply.
Prior to the upgrade, the ten kilometre section of the Goulburn Valley Highway between Yea and Molesworth had claimed the lives of eight Victorians and seriously injured 13 over five years.
The speed limit on the Goulburn Valley Highway between Yea and Molesworth will return to 100km/h later this month.
Other safety measures delivered as part of the upgrade include additional overtaking opportunities, new roadside barriers, electronic message signs, and added cushioning protection for motorcyclists.
The project is being delivered as part of the Andrews Labor Government's Towards Zero Road Safety Strategy and the Transport Accident Commission’s $1 billion Safe System Road Infrastructure Program.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan
“Since the barriers were installed in March, they've already been hit at least seven times – that’s seven potentially deadly, high speed collisions that may have been prevented because of these barriers.”
“Everyone makes mistakes on the road, but no one should die because of them. That’s why we’re investing $1 billion in life saving safety infrastructure like wire rope barriers.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020