Drivers in Ballarat’s west will benefit from safer and more reliable journeys when works get underway to build a new roundabout at Remembrance Drive.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne visited the area to announce the contract to deliver the project has been awarded to Enoch Civil Pty Ltd.
The project will see the intersection of Remembrance Drive/Madden Road/Weighbridge Road at Windemere improved to boost safety and ease congestion for road users.
The Andrews Labor Government is investing $3 million in the four-way intersection, with construction set to begin in April and take six months to complete, weather permitting.
A working group made up of Victoria Police, City of Ballarat and the Avenue of Honour/Arch of Victory Committee, determined a new roundabout will deliver the best long-term upgrade to ensure the intersection is safe.
It follows a range of upgrades which have taken place in recent years at the intersection, including speed restrictions, dedicated turning lanes and improved signage.
Remembrance Drive forms part of the Ballarat Avenue of Honour. Heritage Victoria has granted a heritage permit for the construction of the roundabout, with strict conditions to ensure the protection of the avenue.
Roundabouts are one of the safest types of intersections because they slow the flow of traffic and guide vehicles in one direction, reducing the risk and severity of crashes.
The project comes on top of the more than $60 million being invested to upgrade six traffic hotspots and surrounding roads, as part of the Keeping Ballarat Moving project, to improve travel around the city and reduce the risk of crashes at key intersections.
Quote attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne
“We’re investing in this new roundabout to provide a longer-term upgrade, which will not only boost safety in Ballarat west but also create more reliable journeys for road users to get them where they need to go.”
Quote attributable to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett
“Remembrance Drive is an important part of the area’s history and serves as a vital link for residents to travel in and out of Cardigan Village. This project will go a long way in making it easier for local motorists to get home safely.”
Reviewed 01 March 2023