The Andrews Labor Government has completed work on a series of new roundabouts along Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Road as part of a major upgrade that will provide a safer journey for thousands of drivers each day.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll said four new roundabouts had been constructed on the increasingly busy commercial and commuter connection, which was previously identified as one of the state’s highest-risk sections of road.
Construction has now finished on new roundabouts at the intersections of Glenmore-Nerowie Road and Ballan Road, following new roundabouts that were earlier built at Elcho Road and Parwan-Exford Road
The roundabouts are part of a $50 million safety upgrade on Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Road between Lara and Maddingley through the Labor Government’s $1.4 billion investment into reducing road trauma across the state.
Between 2010 and 2017, six people tragically lost their lives and 32 others suffered serious injuries as a result of crashes on this section of Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Road.
The roundabouts are in addition to roadside and centreline flexible safety barriers previously installed between Lara and Balliang, reducing the risk of run-off road and head-on crashes.
Other upgrades already delivered as part of the project include new dedicated overtaking lanes, intersection improvements and rumble strip line marking, along with a permanent safer speed limit of 80km/h between Patullos Road and Peak School Road.
More works are still to come between Maftins Road and Birds Road, including road widening and shoulder sealing, overtaking lanes, installation of centreline and left-hand side flexible safety barriers in high-risk locations, intersection improvements and rumble strip line marking.
These remaining works are set to be continued in September, when weather conditions are more favourable for road building.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll
“These new roundabouts along Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Road are making it easier and safer for drivers to travel through these busy intersections.”
“These upgrades are all part of our massive investment in road safety infrastructure that will save lives and prevent serious injuries.”
Quote attributable to Member for Lara John Eren
“With new roundabouts and safety infrastructure, we’re making Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Road safer for the people and freight carriers that rely on it every day.”
Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle
“Completing these roundabouts is a major milestone for our massive upgrade of Geelong-Bacchus Marsh that will boost safety for people using our roads.”
Reviewed 14 July 2020