Federal funding road upgrades

TWO intersections in Bendigo will undergo safety upgrades with the aim of reducing crash risk.

As part of the Federal Government’s 10 targeted black spot projects, $385,000 will be spent to improve line of sight, turning facilities, shared path crossings and safety signage at the Belle Vue Road and Byron Street intersection in Quarry Hill.

At the Hargreaves Street and Baxter Street intersection just out of the CBD, $91,000 will be spent on installing safety platforms and improving lighting and warning signs.

The City’s engineering manager Ian McLauchlan welcomed the Federal Government investment.

“Traffic injury is the biggest killer of Australian children under 15 and the second-biggest killer of all Australians aged between 15 and 24,” he said.

“These numbers are growing every year but are preventable with safer drivers, safer speeds and safer roads.

“This investment will make these intersections far safer for the drivers, cyclists and pedestrians that use them each day.”

According to statistics from the City of Greater Bendigo, there have been three crashes resulting in one serious injury and two minor injuries between 2015 and 2019 on Belle Vue Road.

In the same time period the Hargreaves and Baxter street intersection, there have been two cross traffic intersection crashes resulting in one serious injury and one minor injury due to poor sight lines and high-speed approaching vehicles.

“By specifically targeting road locations with a history or risk of crashes for safety upgrades such as lighting, signage, traffic lights and roundabouts, the Black Spot Program reduces crashes causing injury and death at those sites by around 30 per cent,” said Deputy-Prime Minister and minister for infrastructure, transport and regional development Barnaby Joyce.