The Andrews Labor Government has unveiled designs for a long-awaited $7 million upgrade of Mair Street to make it safer and less congested for Ballarat drivers
Community input has been integral in the designs for the upgrade, following more than two years of consultation. A range of feedback from traders and property owners has been incorporated, including changes to on-street parking, traffic light location, the positioning of trees and bike lanes and investigations to remove overhead power lines.
The upgrade will ease congestion between Dawson and Armstrong Streets, and Davies and Humffray Streets, making it easier for people to move in and around the CBD, with a new driving lane to be built in each direction.
There’ll be major upgrades to intersections at Doveton, Armstrong, Peel and Humffray Streets with new turning lanes, line marking and better traffic light flow, and new traffic lights at the Dawson/Mair Street intersection.
Works will also make the CBD safer for cyclists and pedestrians with safer cycling lanes with buffer zones to reduce the risk of “doorings”.
While the upgrade will see the relocation of 69 on-street parking spaces, VicRoads will create 20 new off-street parking spaces at the Grenville Street intersection.
VicRoads continues to work with traders and the City of Ballarat to identify further opportunities to help relocate the remaining on-street parking spaces in the Mair Street precinct.
An average of 15,000 vehicles currently use Mair Street each day with that number projected to triple to 45,000 vehicles in line with Ballarat’s projected growth towards 200,000 residents by 2040.
In the five-year period to December 2017, there were six crashes resulting in serious injury to eleven people. There were also 28 crashes resulting in minor injuries to 35 people in the same period.
Construction of Stage One will start in Autumn with the Dawson Street to Armstrong Street section. This will be followed by the Davies Street to Humffray Street section in Spring. Construction is scheduled to be complete before Christmas to minimise the impact on traders.
A Project Monitoring Group comprising of VicRoads, City of Ballarat, and trader representatives has been established to work together to minimise the impact on businesses during construction.
People can view the designs at vicroads.vic.gov.au or in the VicRoads foyer at 88 Learmonth Road, Wendouree.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan
“We’re investing in Ballarat – whether it’s through this vital $7 million upgrade or our investment in Eureka Stadium – we’re getting it done.”
“While some people want to play politics with this project, this is about safety – there have been far too many crashes and too many injuries on Mair Street so we’re fixing it to keep people safe.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight
“The Mair Street upgrade has been talked about for years and now we’re getting on with the job of reducing congestion and improving safety on this vital local connection.”
“Local traders and the wider community have shared their thoughts on Mair Street over a number of years. We’ve listened and their input is seen in the final designs.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020