THE first of the planned intersection upgrades along Sturt Street are expected to begin within the coming weeks.
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The long-mooted upgrades will see significant changes at Lyons Street, Raglan Street, Errard Street, Windermere Street, Ascot Street and Talbot Street.
Windermere Street will be blocked off to north-south traffic at Sturt Street. Talbot, Errard and Lyons streets will become double u-turn only intersections while lights will be placed at the Ascot and Raglan streets intersections.
The installation of lights at Ascot and Raglan streets will be the first changes which will begin soon, while existing lights at Ripon Street will be improved to add a pedestrian link between Sturt Street's central medians.
Original Regional Roads Victoria plans for changes, including numerous closures of north-south roads were rejected by the State Government in February last year.
Construction on the lights is slated to take up to 18 weeks.
Roads and Road Safety Minister Jaala Pulford said the upgrades to Talbot, Errard, Lyons and Windermere streets will be rolled out in 2020.
"These notorious intersections have seen more than 100 crashes and countless near misses - we're getting on with these upgrades because everyone deserves to make it home safe," Ms Pulford said.
Consultation regarding proposed changes to bike paths along Sturt Street remains ongoing.
"We continue to talk to the community about designs for the proposed Sturt Street bike path and I encourage people to jump online and have their say," she said.
More than 130 people have been injured in crashes on Sturt Street in the past 10 years.
People can view the artist's impressions of the proposed bike paths by visiting the RRV website and provide feedback can be emailed at ballaratprojects@roads.vic.gov.au.
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