Member for Western Victoria Simon Ramsay yesterday said that a contract had been awarded for stage three of a project to improve safety and traffic flow through the Ballarat-Buninyong road and the  Whitehorse Road intersection.

“In recent years, traffic congestion has worsened along Ballarat-Buninyong road during peak periods on school days, particularly at the Whitehorse Road intersection,” Mr Ramsay said.

When the project is completed, the intersection will boast a wider roundabout, with an additional lane for southbound and northbound traffic to help ease peak-period congestion.

Mr Ramsay said the $2.02 million project was being done in stages to minimise disruptions to motorists. 

He said Global Contracting Pty Ltd had been awarded the $600,000 contract for stage three of the project and would start construction in March.

He said stage four, the final stage, was expected to start in the second half of the year.

But the acquisition of three houses at the roundabout and some banking work would have to be completed first, Mr Ramsay said.

Stage three includes earthworks, traffic signal and street lighting works and road widening.

There will also be pavement construction, retaining wall construction, kerb, channel and drainage works, line marking and sign installation. 

“The final stage will include pavement widening for traffic lanes and alterations to the roundabout,” Mr Ramsay said.

“These are major works that must be staggered due to the large-scale nature of the project to ensure delays for people travelling this route are kept as minimal as possible.” 

Initial works north and south of the roundabout were completed last year. 

The Victorian government has committed a further $4.5 million for works to improve intersections, traffic flow and safety along Ballarat-Buninyong road, south of the Whitehorse Road intersection.

rachel.afflick@fairfaxmedia.com.au