Freeway safety improvements complete

INSTALLATION of flexible safety barriers along the Western Freeway, between the Western Ring Road and Ballarat, is now complete.

The final stretch of works from Bacchus Marsh to Leigh Creek wrapped up last week, and the freeway now includes new turning points for emergency services, and improved access breaks for vehicle breakdowns and emergencies.

Travellers between the Western Ring Road and Ballarat will see new travel time signage, informing driver decisions, particularly in cases of road incidents.

Listed between 2013 and 2018 as one of Victoria’s most dangerous roads, there were 28 deaths and 207 serious injuries on the Western Freeway between Melbourne and Ballarat in that period.

Pre-existing safety barriers within that section of road were hit 236 times last year, avoiding 236 serious accidents.

Minister for Roads, Road Safety and the TAC, Jaala Pulford expects the conclusion of safety barrier works will improve driver safety significantly, reducing the risks of severe collisions.

“There’s no doubt these newly installed safety barriers will save lives and I want to thank drivers for their patience as we have rolled them out,” she said.

Member for Buninyong, Michaela Settle said the upgrades are crucial, reducing the risk of head-on and run-off-road crashes.

“These crucial infrastructure upgrades will make it safer for Ballarat drivers getting to and from Melbourne, significantly reducing the risk of head on and run off the road collisions,” she said.