Roadworks to rid Rowsley of a collision hotspot have been completed.
As part of upgrades to the intersection of Bacchus Marsh-Balliang and Glenmore roads, a new roundabout, signs, lighting, drainage and guardrails have been installed.
The federal government contributed $1.3 million to the project from last year’s Blackspot program.
Moorabool council infrastructure manager Phil Jeffrey said there had been a number of accidents at the intersection in the past five years, including one fatality and another resulting in serious injuries.
Mr Jeffrey said council was given the green light to upgrade the intersection because of its accident history.
“We were awarded funding for three projects, but this was the bigger of the three,” Mr Jeffrey said.
“Previously, there was a staggered T-intersection. It’s been converted to a roundabout – roundabouts have been recognised as one of the premier safety treatments of these types of intersections. It has a crash reduction factor.”
Mr Jeffrey said accidents at the intersection occurred, generally, when cars failed to give way.
He said, over the past few decades, there had been several minor accidents along the road.
“The upgrade has been well-received in the community – we’re happy.
“It’s a busy road and we’re happy we received funding and fixed a problem site,” he said.
Moorabool mayor Allan Comrie said the road had been “a very dangerous corner” for many years, and the upgrade would be good news for drivers.
“It’ll mean safety … it’ll allow people to lower their speeds while going through,” Cr Comrie said.
“It’ll be fantastic.”
As part of its Blackspot program, the federal government has also invested $419,000 in upgrades of the Lerderderg Gorge Road, from Camerons Road to Bacchus Marsh-Gisborne Road at Darley.
It will also spend $272,000 to improve the Clarendon-Blue Bridge Road from Courts Road to Woolshed Road at Clarendon.
