Roundabout to be built at dangerous Birregurra intersection

NEARLY $5 million will be spent on upgrading a dangerous intersection near Birregurra that was the site of three crashes in five days last year .

Visiting the site last week, Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan announced a roundabout would be built at the intersection of Birregurra-Forrest Road, Colac-Lorne Road and Deepdene Road.

In the three crashes during the Christmas holiday period, one person was killed and nine others were injured.

In the $4.9 million project, extra earthworks will also be completed at the site to improve sight lines to the intersection.

Several short-term safety improvements are already in place at the intersection, including a safer speed limit, vegetation clearing to improve sight distances and more visible road linemarking.

Two electronic “prepare to stop” signs will also be installed by June.

VicRoads has been consulting with the community about what should be done at the intersection and is now in the process of completing detailed designs for the roundabout, which is being funded through the Transport Accident Commission.

“What we saw at this intersection over Christmas was tragic and our thoughts are with all those who have been affected,” Mr Donellan said.

“We are fixing this notorious intersection – because one life lost on our roads is one too many.”

Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson welcomed the upgrade and congratulated the community for speaking out about the dangers of the intersection.

“The community rally I convened with Polwarth MP Richard Riordan, which attracted around 200 concerned residents from across the district, sent a very strong message to the Victorian government that major action was required,” she said.

Road safety is a key issue in the Corangamite electorate. I now call on the Victorian government to take action on other dangerous intersections such as the Lorne-Winchelsea Road and Cape Otway Road intersection.

“I also remain deeply concerned about the many safety issues with international drivers. Not enough has been done to combat this increasing problem.”