The Andrews Labor Government has made the Midland Highway safer between Buninyong and Clarendon with the completion of upgrades to improve safety and reduce road trauma.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll said lifesaving road treatments including more than 21 kilometres of left-hand side and centreline flexible safety barriers were installed as part of the upgrades.
An additional overtaking lane in each direction, shoulder widening and surfacing works were also completed. Road safety treatments such as flexible safety barriers help prevent head-on and run-off road collisions – the most common type of fatal crashes on regional Victorian roads.
This section of the Midland Highway was identified as one of Victoria’s most high-risk regional roads. In the five years to 2017, eight people were injured and tragically, one person lost their life.
The intersection of the Midland Highway and Clarendon-Lal Lal Road, and the Midland Highway and Scottsburn Primary School have also been improved with new turn lanes, traffic islands and additional signage.
The $23.1 million upgrades are part of a $1.4 billion investment in road safety by the Labor Government in partnership with the TAC.
The Midland Highway links Geelong and Ballarat and serves as a key freight route for agricultural industries, as well as for local commuters to access jobs and services.
Workers will complete some final line marking in the spring.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll
“Everyone has a role to play in road safety. We’ve made the Midland Highway safer and urge every driver to make safe choices on the road – adjust your speed, wear your seat belt and ignore distractions.”
“We know safety barriers and road infrastructure save lives, which is why we’re investing in upgrades like this to reduce the number of people being killed or seriously injured on our roads.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle
“We’ve installed 21.6 kilometres of flexible wire rope barriers along the Midland Highway to improve safety, reduce road trauma and save lives.”
“The evidence is clear – safety barriers save lives which is why we have made unprecedented investment in rolling out flexible barriers along the Midland Highway to protect local motorists, tourists and freight operators.”
Reviewed 07 June 2022