The Coolart Road intersection upgrade in Bittern has been completed, replacing a crash-prone four-way junction with a modern roundabout designed to reduce serious collisions and improve traffic flow.
The intersection of Coolart Road and Myers Road had a documented crash history, including five casualty crashes between July 2015 and July 2020, one of them fatal.
Now, a new roundabout, guardrails, raised safety platforms, and upgraded lighting aim to address the underlying risk factors, including high-speed cross-traffic and limited visibility.
Around 5,900 vehicles pass through the intersection each day, including local freight, trades and agricultural traffic servicing the Mornington Peninsula.
Federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Kristy McBain said the works targeted a known safety risk.
“This was a dangerous intersection with a tragic history – and we’ve fixed it,” Minister McBain said. “By partnering with the Victorian Government, we’re delivering safer roads that protect local families, freight operators and visitors right across the Mornington Peninsula.”
Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne said the design change would materially reduce crash severity.
“Five casualty crashes, including a fatal collision, is five too many – that’s why we got on with making this intersection safer,” Minister Horne said. “Roundabouts save lives. They slow traffic, cut the risk of serious crashes and mean families can get where they’re going safely.”
The $10.6 million project was jointly funded by the Albanese and Allan Governments under the Road Safety Program, with each contributing $5.3 million.
The roundabout complements other upgrades delivered along Coolart Road by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, creating a more consistent and predictable corridor for drivers, including freight operators moving between local industrial, agricultural and residential areas.
Victorian Member for Hastings Paul Mercurio said the upgrade addresses long-standing community concerns.
“Locals know this intersection – and they know how badly it needed fixing,” Mercurio said. “This upgrade means parents, tradies and freight drivers can move through Bittern more safely and more smoothly every single day.”
With reduced conflict points and lower approach speeds, the Coolart Road intersection upgrade reinforces the role of targeted infrastructure in cutting crash risk while maintaining efficient network performance.