A $20 million project to improve the safety and efficiency of Victoria’s Murray Valley Highway between Echuca and Yarrawonga is underway, with work starting recently on upgrading the Scobie Road intersection in Wyuna.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack said the upgrade would help reduce crashes at the intersection.
“There was a double fatality at this intersection in September 2017, so these works are an example of the Australian Government’s commitment to improving the safety of our regional road networks,” Mr McCormack said.
The upgrade will also boost freight productivity and will make a big difference to the approximately 4,600 vehicles in Echuca and 4,400 vehicles in Yarrawonga that use this section of the highway daily.
Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan said the $278,000 intersection component is a key part to upgrade this section of the Murray Valley Highway.
“The Murray Valley Highway has one of the highest numbers of crashes in Victoria and half of these take place at intersections – that’s why we’re making Wyuna safer for all drivers,” Mr Donnellan said.
State Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp said the works will also provide a boost for local jobs, with the contract being awarded to Victorian company Avard Civil Pty Ltd.
“As well as making this section of the highway safer, we’ve awarded the contract to a local Bendigo contractor which supports regional businesses and creates local jobs,” Mr Gepp said.
Federal Member for Murray Damian Drum said as part of the upgrade, a traffic island would be built to improve visibility at the intersection.
“This change to the layout of the intersection will also provide more space for interstate and regional freight traffic travelling to North and North-East Victoria,” Mr Drum said.
Future works will include more intersection upgrades, access road and rest area improvements, shoulder sealing, and new safety barriers and other improvements to make the 130-kilometre stretch of the highway from Echuca to Yarrawonga safer.
The Murray Valley Highway – Echuca to Yarrawonga upgrade is jointly funded, with the Australian and Victorian governments each committing $10 million.
Reviewed 19 August 2020