Work is underway to make a notorious stretch of Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Road safer and smoother for drivers.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan today announced that early works have started on the first section between Lara and Balliang East – with major construction to begin next week.
The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with the $49.5 million upgrade of Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Road between Lara and Maddingley – one of the most dangerous roads in Victoria.
Over the last seven years there have been 74 crashes on Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Road, eight people have lost their lives and 50 people sustained serious injuries.
To make the road safer, the road will be widened to accommodate a wider centreline between Heales Road and Peak School Road.
Centreline flexible safety barrier will be installed between Peak School Road and Little River Ripley Road to prevent head-on crashes and left hand side flexible safety barrier will be constructed at high risk locations
There will also be new overtaking lanes between Peak School Road and Carrs Road, a new roundabout at Elcho Road and intersection upgrades at Granite Road and Carrs Road.
Victoria’s new dedicated country roads body, Regional Roads Victoria, has received environmental and cultural heritage approvals to get the first stage works underway.
Some traffic delays are expected during construction and detours will be in place between Peak School Road and Little River Ripley Road.
The safety upgrades are part of the Labor Government’s $1.4 billion Towards Zero Action Plan, which aims to ensure no one is killed or seriously injured on our roads.
Construction of this first section of work is expected to be completed by mid-2019.
As stated by Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan
"We promised to make this road safer to prevent run-off-road crashes and ultimately save lives – and we’re getting on with it."
"Whether it’s installing flexible safety barriers or fixing dangerous intersections, these works will help keep people safe on the road and ultimately save lives."
As stated by Member for Lara John Eren
"We’re fixing the most dangerous sections of Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Road to ensure locals can get where they need to go safer and sooner."
