Residents across Ararat Rural City are set to benefit as three major road safety upgrades are complete.
Ararat Rural City Council CEO Dr Tim Harrison said the three separate projects collectively worth more than $4.14 million are to be finished in June.
"This is a huge milestone for Ararat Rural City and highlights our most significant road construction projects for this financial year, with our budget delivering our single largest investments in roads ever," said Dr Harrison.
"The majority of these projects have been made possible thanks to funding by the Australian Government's Roads to Recovery Program, Victorian Government's Regional Infrastructure Fund and Ararat Rural City Council.
"It's assisted with new road widening to include a slip lane along the Western Highway and Heath Street intersection to improve the visibility and safety for motorists. A new footpath will be built within the fortnight.
"In addition, we've reconstructed two sections of Willaura-Wickliffe Road spanning 2.19 km between Bald Hill Road and Back Bolac Road due to excessive deformation of the existing road pavement.
"Sealing works will be carried out by mid-June for 3.6km section of Woondoo-Streatham Road by contractors Rich River, making the road safer and more efficient for regional agricultural freight.
"With a municipal road network of over 2,300 kilometres, we need to make sure investment continues to make sure that rural people who rely on local roads every day can get where they are going safely."
Finishing touches include:
Heath Street Intersection
Heath Street intersection was in need of a safety upgrade due to see cars attempting to run the gauntlet over the rail crossing while exiting the Western Highway. Despite unexpected obstacles such as breaks found in the water main and soft soil, restoration works with Millers Civil Contractors carried out reconstruction works to create safer access from the highway to the Ararat East Development Area. The primer seal has been laid on the Heath Street and Western Highway intersection, followed by asphalt and a final seal to the remainder of the road. A new footpath will also be built.
Woorndoo-Streatham Road
The reconstruction of 3.6km of road with a wider 6.2m width will create a strong, safer pavement for farmers by allowing for increased loading. Drainage works and reconstruction of the shoulder have been completed. Prep works were carried out, including regrading of the road along with compaction works before the final seal.
Willaura-Wickliffe Road
Willaura-Wickliffe Road serves as a vital road that carries freight from the farm gate to local grain storage facilities. The project includes the complete pavement rehabilitation, the replacement of the existing culverts and improved drainage to extend the life and durability of the road. As part of the completed works, two sections of the road spanning 2.19 km between Bald Hill Road and Back Bolac Road have been reconstructed, meaning Willaura-Wickliffe Road will be a safer and stronger road.
/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.
