An east-bound right turn lane from Sturt Street into Russell Street has been extended, and a left turn lane from Russell into Sturt has been added, though this will be temporarily closed until traffic lights are installed, according to Regional Roads Victoria.

The traffic lights, to be installed later this year, will help improve traffic flow and make the intersections safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

"After the traffic signals become operational, the school crossing on Sturt Street near Loreto College will be removed and students and other pedestrians will be encouraged to use the signalised intersection to cross Sturt Street," according to a Regional Roads Victoria statement.

"The right-turn movement from Hamilton Avenue onto Sturt Street will be permanently closed to reduce the risk of crashes."

The upgrades are the latest in a $4.8 million project to improve Sturt Street between Ring Road and Wanliss Road, particularly around the educational precinct.

The state government has also committed more than $60 million to upgrading other intersections across Ballarat, with work to begin soon on replacing the Hertford Street roundabout in Sebastopol with traffic lights.

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