Works finish on high-risk intersection

UPGRADES to an intersection near Haddon, known as a site for accidents, has been completed.

The federal government funded and the City of Ballarat delivered the project at Greenhalghs and Finchs roads, Bunkers Hill.

Just over $1.8 million was spent on the project through the government’s Black Spot Program.

Ballarat MP Catherine King and the city’s mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves inspected the Bunkers Hill intersection last week.

Works there included construction of a new roundabout with splitter islands, raised safety platforms, improved lighting, line-marking and minor drainage upgrades.

The upgrade was designed to decrease traffic speeds, improve visibility and reduce the likelihood and severity of collisions.

More than 800 people signed a petition in 2023 calling for safety improvements after a person was killed in a crash there in 2022.

A memorial at the site was protected throughout construction.

“We’ve unfortunately had a fatality and many serious accidents here, as well as misses,” Ms King said.

“Black spots like these are really important to improve in our local community because we want everybody to get home safely.

“We know that there’s a lot of traffic out this way nowadays. There’s been lots of housing development happen and what really was a small rural road is now a really busy intersection – people using it all the time to get to and from work, to get to school, and to really just go about their daily lives.

“Being able to fund intersections in particular, and particularly where there’ve been known incidents occur, is important to make sure we get everybody home safe and sound.”

Cr Hargreaves said the safety of residents and the ability to arrive home safely was of “absolute highest priority” to the council.