A DANGEROUS intersection in Daylesford will soon be made safer with a $1.3 million roundabout redevelopment.
The intersection at the corner of East Street, Daylesford-Trentham Road and the Midland Highway has been the site of five serious traffic accidents over the past five years, which have resulted in 10 injuries.
Treasurer Tim Pallas visited Daylesford on Tuesday to announce funding for the project, which he said would slow the flow of traffic for the 2600 cars that used the intersection each day.
Mr Pallas said he noted driver behaviour through the intersection showed it wasn’t “working as it should”, a concern given Daylesford’s increased busyness.
Market days on Sunday and in tourist-heavy seasons can see thousands of motorists using the intersection.
Mr Pallas said the design would take into consideration the heavy agricultural vehicles that used the roads as well as pedestrians and cyclists.
The upgrades will also include the installation of improved street lighting and approach markers.
“This intersection is dangerous – we’re getting on with fixing it,” Mr Pallas said.
“Hopefully we’ll see a safer journey for everybody.”
The announcement is a coup for Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas, who has been campaigning for the upgrade to the often-congested intersection.
“The community let me know in no uncertain terms that they were looking for a long-term fix here,” she said.
Hepburn Shire Mayor Neil Newitt said with a number of industrial employers located nearby the intersection, the upgrades would ultimately lead to more jobs.
He said companies would expand thanks to improved access, meaning more employment opportunities would open.
Birch ward councillor Pierre Niclas said Hepburn Shire Council was now hoping the state government would fund a project to lower the road under the railway to allow for B-double truck access.
He said currently, the trucks were using Stanbridge Street nearby a children’s playground and residential homes.
A lowering of the road would mean B-doubles could access the Midland Highway down East Street to the industrial estate.
He said with that project also complete, the useability of the entire area would be improved.
“This roundabout is the first step,” he said.
VicRoads regional director Ewen Nevett said it was hoped the roundabout would begin construction by this coming summer, with the project to be finalised by the end of 2017.
