Changes will be made to six intersections between Pleasant Street and Dyson Drive.

The intersection at Russell and Sturt Streets has had three crashes in five years, including a fatal incident.

The community can now give their feedback on the plans through the Engage VicRoads website.

VicRoads western regional director Ewen Nevett said feedback from people who used the road every day was important to ensure the best solution was achieved for everyone.

“Sturt Street West provides a vital link between the CBD and the growing western suburbs,” he said.

“We want to make sure it flows effectively, particularly in busy school times.

“These proposed changes will provide safer access and visibility for the thousands of students and drivers who come to the schools’ precinct every day.

“A key priority of these improvements is to boost pedestrian access, so we can encourage more children to walk or ride to school.”

Proposed changes include adding traffic lights at the Sturt Street and Russell Street intersection.

Right hand turns from Hamilton Avenue into Sturt Street will be banned, while new drop off zones at Loreto College will be added.

College business manager Jeff Primmer said the school had a number of meetings with VicRoads to discuss the proposed changes.

“Our main focus is on the safety of our students getting to and from school, so we have certainly been involved with consultation initially with VicRoads,” he said.

“It is more to just do with the heavy traffic side of things, as part of that process we would look to make any other improvements we can.

“It is a major thoroughfare and access between Victoria Park, particularly with the all abilities playground and Lake Wendouree, so some additional lights there would have additional community benefit.”

Service roads at Ballarat Clarendon College and St Partick’s College will be closed either side of Wanliss Road with new openings onto Sturt Street added.

Further west at Ballarat High School right hand turns will also be banned for cars turning into Sturt Street from the school.

The right hand turning lane to access to the school will also be extended to allow for more traffic.

More changes will be made at the Arch of Victory and Cuthberts Road, which VicRoads said are two of the city’s fastest growing roads, with limited safe crossings for pedestrians.

The left turning lane on Learmonth Street onto Sturt Street will be changed to allow traffic to also turn right.

A new left turning lane will be built for traffic exiting Cuthberts Road onto Learmonth Street.

New pedestrian crossings will also be added and the existing access between Beaufort Avenue and Learmonth Street will be closed.

Service roads at Northam Way and Production Drive will become one way.

VicRoads said a key priority for the upgrade is to improve pedestrian access and safety along Sturt Street, with new footpaths, raised zebra crossings, new kerbing and bollards planned.