Sections of the Wimmera Highway, the state highway connecting Central and West Victoria, will receive safety upgrades thanks to joint funding from the state and federal governments.
Thanks to the Australian Government’s $3 billion Road Safety Program (RSP) and the Victorian Government’s Regional Intersection Package, safety and accessibility are being improved on the Wimmera Highway near Newbridge.
The project aims to helps locals and industry on what is an important agricultural and freight route in the state.
The Wimmera Highway and Bridgewater-Maldon Road intersection will be widened and remodelled into a ‘T’ intersection, improving driver visibility and allowing vehicles to safely enter and exit the Wimmera Highway.
The works also include building new dedicated right and left turning lanes, a new raised median on the continuation of the Highway towards Bendigo and installing safety barriers and street lighting.
The government says more than 2,000 vehicles use this section of the highway each day, including more than 240 trucks and other heavy vehicles. And that the upgrade will ensure the Wimmera Highway can continue to safely support the industries in the region including agriculture, viticulture, mining and tourism.
Federal Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Carol Brown says is another step towards fewer road deaths.
“These improvements are part of the Australian Government’s ongoing commitment to improving road safety and working towards our ‘Vision Zero’ target of no deaths on our roads by 2050.”
The Wimmera Hwy/Bridgewater-Maldon Rd is one of four Regional Intersection Package sites being funded from Tranche 3 of the RSP. Under this package the Wimmera Hwy site has a total project cost of $1,466,000, with the Australian Government contributing $1,172,800 and a Victorian Government contribution of $293,200.
State Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne says the projects benefits industry.
“We’re providing safer roads and supporting local industry in central Victoria by completing this important work, which will benefit the high numbers of trucks accessing local farms and agricultural hubs every day, to get produce where it needs to go.”
Works are set to begin mid-January and are expected to be completed in mid-2023, weather permitting. The roads will remain open during construction with reduced speed limits in place.
Senator for Victoria Jana Stewart says it’s a great win for road safety.
“These improvements will make one of the main roads in Newbridge safer for all road users and increase connectivity across the region.
These works are yet another example of the Albanese Labor Government supporting residents right across the Mallee.”
For more information about this project, visit the Regional Roads Victoria website.
More information on the Australian Government’s road safety investments and initiatives is available at www.officeofroadsafety.gov.au.