A new intersection design was unveiled today to ease congestion and boost road safety along the Western Highway at Horsham in regional Victoria.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack said the new design for the McPherson Street and O’Callaghans Parade intersection would significantly increase safety for all road users and improve the links between local primary producers and major trade markets.
“The Western Highway is one of Victoria’s busiest freight and travel routes, and the new intersection design will improve traffic flow along this key corridor, which is a fantastic outcome for motorists, local producers and freight operators,” Mr McCormack said.
Victorian Minister for Ports, Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan said the design which converts the existing roundabout to an intersection would reduce the risk of collisions.
“The upgraded intersection will make it safer for the more than 26,000 drivers using the roundabout every day, and new dedicated through-lanes will ease congestion for all road users travelling along the Western Highway,” Mr Donnellan said.
Federal Member for Mallee Andrew Broad said the improved intersection would deliver a range of improvements to keep traffic flowing smoothly, including eliminating the current need for north and south-bound traffic to give way to other drivers.
“Adelaide-bound drivers will also no longer need to cross lanes within the roundabout to exit and the right-hand turn from the Western Highway onto O’Callaghans Parade will be removed, which will deliver a safer and smoother path through this busy intersection,” Mr Broad said.
Victorian Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford said cyclists were also set to benefit from the redesigned intersection.
“Additional signage for shared paths, new access points for cyclists and wider shared paths on traffic islands to ensure greater separation between cyclists and vehicles will make this intersection much easier and safer for cyclists,” Ms Pulford said.
The design was produced in consultation with the Horsham Rural City Council, local residents, business owners and the Council’s Cycling Advisory Group.
Work on the project will start in spring and is expected to be completed in December, weather permitting.
The project is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments and is part of the $20 million Western Highway - Stawell to the South Australian Border Upgrade.
For more information on the O’Callaghans Parade intersection, visit
Reviewed 19 August 2020