Seventeenth Street-Calder Highway roundabout works complete

ROUNDABOUT works at one of Mildura’s highest-risk intersections have been completed as part of numerous safety upgrades along the Calder Highway.

Work on the new, single-lane roundabout at the intersection of Seventeenth Street and Deakin Avenue started in August to boost safety at the notorious location.

Regional Roads Victoria western regional director Michael Bailey said the works were part of a $20 million state and federal government investment to improve safety along the Calder Highway between Mildura and Bendigo.

“Roundabouts help to make intersections safer by reducing vehicle speeds at intersections and make it easier to choose a safe gap in traffic,” Mr Bailey said.

“Tragically, since 2009, two people have been killed as a result of crashes at this intersection, while a number of others have suffered serious injuries.”

The works have included shoulder widening, installation of new safer LED lighting and improved line marking and signage to provide clear direction to drivers.

Mr Bailey said the new roundabout would also make life easier for farmers and freight operators.

“The majority of freight movement in Victoria’s north-west travels along the Calder Highway,” he said.

“It links the region’s fruit-growing areas and other primary producers with the Melbourne markets and the Port of Melbourne, helping local produce reach customers all around the world.”

Completion of the Mildura roundabout followed the end of works on another new roundabout at the intersection of Hattah-Robinvale Road and the Calder Highway, which was completed in October.

Construction of another roundabout at the intersection of Irymple Avenue and the Calder Highway will start in mid-2020 as part of the upgrade package, while the intersection of the Calder Highway and Patchewollock-Sea Lake Road underwent safety upgrades last year.