Western end of Sturt Street gets upgrade in school holidays

THE third stage of the State government’s Sturt St West Improvement Project roadworks is underway.

The aim of the $4.8 million project is to create a safer journey to school for students and motorists.

The intersection of Wanliss Road and Sturt Street will have a new access point added to the east of Wanliss Road and a new exit constructed on the west side, Brad Pryor Regional Roads Victoria Acting Regional Director (Western), said.

“These works will make life easier for drivers and students crossing the road to access the nearby Ballarat Clarendon College and St Patrick’s College,” he said.

The western end of Sturt Street, a major thoroughfare for motorists to the CBD has already seen upgrades near Ballarat High School completed in stage one of the project.

The right turning lane into the service road outside the school was extended to reduce congestion during school pick-up and drop-off times.

The road surface was also improved at the entrance and exit to the school, while nearby footpaths have been upgraded.

“We’ll be shifting the existing school crossing [at the Wanliss Road intersection] 10 metres to the west to link with a new footpath, which will connect with the footpath on the nearby service road to create a safer, easier route for hundreds of students at the Colleges,” Mr Pryor said.

The installation of new traffic lights near Loreto College at the Russell Street and Morrison Street intersection and new traffic lanes at the Arch of Victory roundabout are also on the agenda.

Any incomplete roadworks at the end of the term holiday will be carried out during school hours, between 9.30am and 2.30pm, to limit disruption to traffic and the education facilities.