The Andrews Labor Government is taking action to improve safety at the notorious interchange of the Midland Highway and Western Freeway at Mount Rowan.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan today joined member for Wendouree Sharon Knight to announce $2.5 million to construct the roundabout.
The upgrade is in addition to the $12 million being invested to improve the safety of the Midland Highway between Ballarat and Creswick.
The design of the roundabout is now being finalised and will be shared with the community at an information session in coming months.
Construction of the roundabout is then expected to begin in September this year and will be completed by mid-2019.
The remaining safety upgrades on the Midland Highway – including a wide centreline treatment, rumble strip line-marking, roadside flexible safety barriers and intersection improvements – will be complete next year.
These upgrades will prevent drivers from being seriously injured or killed – particularly in head-on and run-off-road crashes, the biggest cause of fatalities on country roads.
These safety improvements are all part of the Victorian Government’s Towards Zero Action Plan which is being funded by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and delivered by VicRoads.
The $1.3 billion Towards Zero Action Plan aims to ensure nobody is seriously injured or killed on Victorian roads.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan
“We’ve heard what the community has had to say, now we’re upgrading this interchange to keep people safe on this important link between Ballarat, Creswick and the Western Freeway.”
“Everybody makes mistakes on our roads, but no one should die because of them – that’s why we’re investing more than 14 million to make the Midland Highway safer.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight
“The community has told us that this interchange isn’t safe – and we’re taking action.”
“This new roundabout, alongside the major safety upgrades currently underway between Ballarat and Creswick will make a massive difference to our community.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020