It's a dusty track crossing a busy country road, which has seen more traffic in recent years as more people move to the area.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
That's why a roundabout will be installed on Cuthberts Road at the Whites Road intersection in Cardigan, the site of a fatal collision where a motorcyclist died in 2015.
At least three serious collisions, including the fatal accident, have occurred at the intersection in the last five years.
The federal government will contribute $1.56 million for the upgrade as part of the next round of Black Spot funding - the second highest amount funding in this round after Bendigo.
Ballarat Highway Patrol's Sergeant Ross Humphrey said anything that caused drivers to pay attention was a good thing.
"Over the last three to five years there has been some serious crashes at those intersections," he said.
The City of Ballarat, which will construct the roundabouts, said the sealing of Whites Road could be considered as part of future capital works programs.
Mayor Samantha McIntosh said in a statement the funding was welcomed by council.
"Whilst the Cuthberts Road (and) Whites Road roundabout is likely to be of benefit to the Ballarat West Growth Area, a Black Spot site is determined by eligibility criteria such as a history of crashes, particularly where there are fatalities, over a five year period," she said.
"It also recognises road locations that could be considered as "accidents waiting to happen".
"Therefore, some program funds may be used to treat sites where road traffic engineers have completed a Road Safety Audit and found remedial work is necessary."
In Victoria Park, the intersection of Cedar Drive and Poplar Avenue will also be turned into a roundabout, with the federal government contributing $426,000.
Sergeant Humphrey said there have been a number of minor collisions at that intersection.
"People use it to travel through in the morning and afternoon peak," he said
"It can get very busy, obviously with the number of sporting events like football, cricket, and the other events that occur in the park."
The federal government's Black Spot program provides funding to upgrade dangerous roads nominated by the state governments, councils and community groups, and reviewed by Victoria Police, VicRoads, and other organisations.
There have been campaigns for other problem intersections and areas to be recognised, including at Cherry Flat Road and Bells Road following a serious collision in September last year, though Cherry Flat Road, which is controlled by the City of Ballarat, has been studied as part of the Ballarat West Structure Plan.
While it does not meet Black Spot criteria, long term plans include upgrading as part of the Western Link road proposal and widening the intersection to include turning lanes.
The latest funding round includes $25 million for 71 roads across Victoria, with safety upgrades including realignments, new signage, and shoulder sealing.
The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics has found that, on average, Black Spot projects reduce the number of crashes causing death and injury by 30 per cent.
However, Councillor McIntosh said new infrastructure is not the sole solution to improve road safety.
"We all have to change our attitude when it comes to road safety," she said.
"The community has told us they would like to see improvements made to these intersections to improve safety.
"That means we always need to be mindful of conditions when driving, we need to keep to speed limits specifically around schools and we must not use our phones when behind the wheel."
Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.
