Lights change for south entrance

PLANS for upgrades to the Midland Highway at the southern entrance of Sebastopol have changed, with a roundabout set for the intersection at Docwra and Prince streets scrapped in favour of traffic lights.

The works are part of an overall $60.8 million suite of upgrades across the city titled Keeping Ballarat Moving, and originally called for a roundabout.

However, it’s now been determent that traffic lights “are a more suitable option, catering to projected increase in traffic volumes over the next 30 years,” and will “improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, provide better traffic capacity, make turning onto the highway easier for drivers approaching from Prince and Docwra streets.”

The announcement of the change was made last Friday by the Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle at the site.

“Traffic lights will create a safe crossing for local school kids, their families and the whole community,” she said.

“This upgrade will help everyone get home safely and make Sebastopol and even better place to live.

“We’ve updated the project to include traffic lights because of all the growth we are seeing in Sebastopol.”

Other works in and around the site of the new traffic lights include two lanes each way and the extension of the raised median strip along the Midland Highway from Queen Street, and a slip lane from Docwra Street southbound onto the highway.

It’s expected that works on the traffic lights will start early next year.

Other project forming part of the Keeping Ballarat Moving project include new traffic lights along Wiltshire Lane at La Trobe Street and the Glenelg Highway, as well as at Gillies and Gregory streets.

“As part of our Keeping Ballarat Moving package, we are delivering the road network that Ballarat needs,” said Ben Carroll, Minister for Roads and Road Safety.

“Installing traffic lights at this intersection will guarantee a safer journey for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians at one of the major entrances to the city.”