General News
31 January, 2023
Ministers laud road work
STATE and Federal Government ministers have today said that work on the Wimmera Highway at Newbridge will improve safety on an important agricultural and freight route. The statement comes after work finally started to realign the intersection with...
STATE and Federal Government ministers have today said that work on the Wimmera Highway at Newbridge will improve safety on an important agricultural and freight route.
The statement comes after work finally started to realign the intersection with Bridgewater-Maldon Road reported by the Loddon Herald on January 19.
Residents and Loddon Shire had been calling for the work, first promised more than five years ago, to start.
The Government today said:
Through joint funding from the Australian Government’s $3 billion Road Safety Program
(RSP) and the Victorian Government's Regional Intersection Package, safety and
accessibility are being improved on the Wimmera Highway near Newbridge in a boost
for locals and industry on this important agricultural and freight route.
The Wimmera Highway and Bridgewater-Maldon Road intersection will be widened and
remodelled into a ‘T’ intersection, improving driver visibility and allowing vehicles to
safely enter and exit the Wimmera Highway.
The works also include building new dedicated right and left turning lanes, a new raised
median on the continuation of the Highway towards Bendigo, and installing safety
barriers and street lighting.
More than 2,000 vehicles use this section of the highway each day, including more than
240 trucks and other heavy vehicles. This upgrade will ensure the Wimmera Highway
can continue to safely support the industries in the region including agriculture,
viticulture, mining and tourism.
The Wimmera Highway/Bridgewater-Maldon Rd is one of four Regional Intersection
Package sites being funded from Tranche 3 of the RSP. Under this package the
Wimmera Highway site has a total project cost of $1,466,000, with the Australian
Government contributing $1,172,800, and a Victorian Government contribution of
$293,200.
Works are now underway and are expected to be completed in mid-2023, weather
permitting. The roads will remain open during construction with reduced speed limits in
place.
Federal Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Carol Brown said:
“These improvements are part of the Australian Government’s ongoing commitment to
improving road safety, and working towards our ‘Vision Zero’ target of no deaths on our
roads by 2050.”
State Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne said: “We’re providing safer roads and supporting local industry in central Victoria by completing this important work, which will benefit the high numbers of trucks accessing local farms and agricultural hubs every day, to get produce where it needs to go.”
Member for Ripon Martha Haylett said: “We’re making it easier for drivers travelling on Bridgewater-Maldon Road to see vehicles travelling on the Wimmera Highway. It will significantly improve safety for locals and businesses using these roads every day.”