$55m infrastructure investment to reduce trauma on Victorian roads

17 Aug 2012

MEDIA RELEASE: 17 August 2012

Premier Ted Baillieu was in Bendigo this morning inspecting the notorious intersection of the Calder Highway and Calder Alternate Highway in Ravenswood, which will receive a $310,000 safety upgrade this year as part of a unique $55 million funding program aimed at reducing road trauma.

Mr Baillieu said 80 projects have been funded and announced as part of the Transport Accident Commission's (TAC) Safer Roads Infrastructure Program (SRIP).

"In recent weeks, Victorians may have seen a number of road safety projects announced in their community. These projects are part of a $55 million investment state-wide," Mr Baillieu said.

"Approximately $31 million has been allocated to improve intersection safety, while $24 million will be spent on works to reduce the incidence and severity of head-on and run-off-road crashes."

The $55 million SRIP program will also benefit dozens of roads across Victoria, including a major boost to improving safety in Melbourne's western suburbs.

Major works include a $5.8 million upgrade of Derrimut/Hopkins Road between Tarneit and Rockbank, a $5.5 million run-off-road project on the Melton Highway, and $1.3 million of safety improvements for Somerton Road, Greenvale.

In Melbourne's east Mr Baillieu said an innovative $473,000 project addressing head-on collisions on Belgrave-Hallam Road would also be undertaken as part of this year's funding program.

"The project will involve the installation of high-visibility, flexible bollards on the road median, to alert motorists to the tight curve and encourage them to take the corner at lower speeds."

Mr Baillieu said high-risk stretches of roads in regional Victoria will be made safer with run-off-road prevention treatments.
"Run-off-road prevention treatments, such as safety barriers and tactile edgelines, will be used to help prevent crashes on major regional routes including the Surf Coast Highway, Hume Freeway and the Midland Highway,"

"In addition to 15 run-off-road prevention projects, there are 64 intersection improvements planned throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria, which vary in scope from installation of new traffic signals to altering median strips.
"Improving our road infrastructure is just one of the many ways that we can contribute to lowering the road toll and reducing serious injury crashes."
"Here in the north-central region of Victoria, approximately $1.3 million will go towards safety improvements under this program, with $310,000 towards the notorious intersection of the Calder Highway and Calder Alternate Highway in Ravenswood.

"This funding will address poor sight distance associated with a significant crest in the road, with improved signage and skid resistance treatments on approach to the intersection.

"In addition to taking action now to address safety concerns in this location, you would be aware the Coalition Government has included grade separation of the Calder Highway and Calder Alternate Highway intersection in its list of priority projects presented to Infrastructure Australia."

"We will now pursue funding for this vital project under the next installment of the Federal Government's Nation Building Program and I know the local community wants the Federal Government to fund this important road safety project."

Earlier this week the Victorian Coalition Government announced speed zones would be overhauled under sweeping changes to Victoria's speed limit system.

Minister for Roads Terry Mulder unveiled an initial list of sites in regional Victoria where speed limit changes would be introduced or rationalised, based on the first hand knowledge of local residents.

One of the most significant changes for country Victoria will be the removal of 80 km/h buffer zones on the edge of most rural towns and cities.

These include sections of roads in towns including Bendigo, Heyfield, Yallourn North, Morwell, Tyers, Wunghnu, Kialla, Porepunkah, Murchison, Rutherglen, Baddaginnie, Wallan, Alfredton, Haven, Irymple, Maddingley, Glenorchy, Winchelsea and Queenscliff.

Other locations will be added in coming months, however all of the changes in rural areas will include consultation with local council, police and public transport operators, before changes are made.

This week the Victorian Parliament debated the Road Safety Amendment Bill 2012 where the Coalition Government is introducing tough new measures to crackdown on hoon drivers, including making impounding of vehicles more efficient for police and forcing hoon offenders to undertake a driver safety course.

The road safety improvements being delivered through the program are part of the combined efforts of all road safety partners, including VicRoads, TAC, Victoria Police, and the Department of Justice.