Media Releases

Work associated with the $275,000 upgrade of the intersection of the Murray Valley Highway and Benjeroop-Tresco Road is underway.
Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, has welcomed the commencement of the works following two fatal accidents at the intersection over the past five years.
“The approaches to this intersection are reasonably flat and offer good sight distance, however, with the two fatal crashes in recent times it is important that the intersection be made a safe as possible to try and reduce similar incidents from occurring in the future,” Mr Walsh said.
“Traffic islands improved linemarking and new intersection warning signs will be included in the improvement works.
“These traffic islands and new warning signs will improve motorist’s awareness of the upcoming intersection.
“The Murray Valley Highway is a key arterial route experiencing increasing traffic volumes as the region continues to grow in popularity and it is expected these works will help reduce the number of casualty crashes at this intersection,” Mr Walsh said.
The works will be carried out between 6am and 6pm each day and be completed by early June (weather permitting).
Motorists are advised to factor in an additional 10 minutes in travelling time and are reminded to obey the reduced speed limits for their own safety and the safety of workers.
“These works are being undertaken by VicRoads, as part of the Transport Accident Commission’s Safer Road Infrastructure Program funding announced earlier this year,” Mr Walsh said.
“The Coalition Government has committed $75 million in the last 12 months as part of the Safer Road Infrastructure Program aimed at reducing the incidence and severity of road trauma, in particular “run-off-road” and “head on” crashes and crashes at intersections,” he said.

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, has welcomed the budget announcement that sees a radical change to road maintenance funding.
With the Victorian Government announcing a three year, $170 million road maintenance package to address the condition of the State’s roads it means that for the first time VicRoads will have certainty of funding and can develop a long-term approach to road maintenance.
“This Government has maintained and now strengthened its vital focus on Victorian roads,” Mr Walsh said.
“Last year’s $45 million Repair and Restore package enabled essential work on roads that had suffered as a result of years of neglect from the former Labor Government, who saw the drought years as an opportunity to ignore Victorian roads without consequence.
“Locally we saw funding allocations that addressed maintenance along the Calder Highway near Wedderburn and Sea Lake as well as major works on the Wimmera Highway at Logan and a commitment to carry out safety works on the Murray Valley Highway between Kerang and Swan Hill.
“This year’s budget expands the “Repair and Restore” program by allocating $90 million over three years to rebuild roads that have deteriorated and $80 million over two years to resurface worn roads and prevent future damage,” Mr Walsh said.
“In 2013/14 $466 million will be spent on road asset maintenance including the continuation of our ‘Country Roads and Bridges’ program aimed at assisting local Councils in maintaining safe and usable roads.
“This includes the base level of maintenance funding in addition to the first year’s allocation of the new $170 million resurfacing and renewal package.
“This is $83 million more than what Labor provided in its last budget.
“VicRoads will now develop a comprehensive program of works to be rolled out across the region.
“By carrying out a targeted road restoration program, in addition to pavement resurfacing, we will ensure the life of our region’s roads is extended,” Mr Walsh said.

A notorious intersection near Swan Hill will be upgraded as part of the Victorian Government’s plan to spend $1 billion to improve the state’s highest risk roads and intersections.
The funding boost is the centrepiece of Victoria’s new Road Safety Strategy 2013-22 and Action Plan 2013-16 launched today by Premier Ted Baillieu, which include a new and stronger focus on measuring and reducing not only deaths on our roads, but the hidden toll of serious injuries.
Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, announced today that the Benjeroop-Tresco Road and Murray Valley Highway intersection would receive a $275,000 safety upgrade.
The project will see the construction of splitter islands on both approaches of the Benjeroop-Tresco Road to the Murray Valley Highway and signage and other safety works on the highway itself.
“This intersection has a history of road crashes that have resulted in deaths and injuries,” Mr Walsh said in announcing the funding.
“The funding, part of the unprecedented, $100 million decade-long boost to road safety, will create a far safer intersection for motorists entering or crossing the Murray Valley Highway.
“A number of local road safety projects have been identified across the State and each year between 2013 and 2022 will be targeted under a revamped Safer Road Infrastructure Program,” Mr Walsh said.
The Coalition Government’s new strategy will drive the next decade of road safety in Victoria and outlines priority actions for government.
It includes bold new measures to further prevent deaths and injuries on our roads and cement Victoria’s position as a leader in road safety through enforcement, education and innovation including:
• Drink driving – expansion of the use of alcohol interlocks to the vehicles of convicted drink drivers;
• Drug driving – a new offence with a tough penalty for driving under the combined influence of alcohol and illicit drugs;
• Speeding – encouraging people to use technologies that alert drivers when speeding;
• Distraction – a major new campaign to educate people on the dangers of driving while distracted and tougher penalties for drivers detected using a mobile phone while driving;
• Pedestrians and cyclists – review of the use of 40km/h zones where the risk of pedestrian or cyclist crashes is high and a new ‘black area’ program to provide safer infrastructure where clusters of pedestrian and cyclist crashes occur;
• Country road users – improvement of safety at Victoria’s regional level crossings and the use of the Motorcycle Blackspot Program on popular touring routes;
• Young drivers – extension of the Fit to Drive program to all Victorian schools and a ban on the use of mobile phones by all P-plate drivers;
• Older road users – simplification of Victoria’s roads environment and improvement of signage;
• Motorcyclists – introduction of a graduated licensing system for motorcyclists;
• Unlicensed drivers – introduction of requirements for all Victorian drivers and riders to carry their licence when on the road;
• Trucks – trial of fatigue detection technology for truck drivers and introduction of new penalties for tailgating;
• Vehicle safety – trial of in-vehicle warning devices to alert drivers to approaching hazards such as trains approaching level crossings.
Premier Ted Baillieu said the Coalition Government can introduce new laws, education campaigns and technology to keep road users safe, but ultimately it is up to Victorians to make safe choices.
“Everybody – drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists – has a responsibility to make the right choices because it’s those choices that will help us to stay alert, stay alive and reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads,” Mr Baillieu said.

The Calder Highway between Wedderburn and Sea Lake is to benefit from a funding package targeting repairs along various sections of the road from Ravenswood to Sea Lake.
The funding was announced today by Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh.
“Two years of wetter than normal weather has impacted severely on the condition of roads throughout the region,” Mr Walsh said.
“This has led to the rapid deterioration of some sections of the Calder Freeway and Highway with works around Wedderburn and Sea Lake particularly needing to be addressed.
“VicRoads has managed these with short term safety repairs, however, longer term repair works require a series of large asphalt patches.
“Resealing works near Wedderburn totalling $44,000 and works totalling $94,000 on the highway near Sea Lake will enable the road to continue in its role as the major freight and commuter route between Melbourne and Mildura,” Mr Walsh said.
“This will ensure its ongoing safety for all road users.
“These works are in addition to the other recently completed safety improvements such as improved signage and skid resistance treatments at the Calder Highway/Calder Alternative intersection at Ravenswood,” he said.
“The works announced today are part of the Victorian Government’s $45 million commitment to pavement renewal announced in October which includes works on the Leitchville-Pyramid Road, the Wimmera Highway at Logan and the Loddon Valley Highway at Tragowel near Kerang,” Mr Walsh said.

Repairs to the Loddon Valley Highway at Tragowel have been included in the latest repair and restore package Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, announced today.
“As part of the Victorian government’s $45 million road pavement works, $290,000 has been allocated to improve the road’s condition at Tragowel with works expected to start in early 2013,” Mr Walsh said.
“Recent major flood events and two years of wetter than normal weather, this section of the Loddon Valley Highway has deteriorated much faster than expected.
“As this highway is a vital transport route between Melbourne and the northern region of the state ensuring the safety of all road users is essential.
“The local community are well aware of the importance of this and will welcome the works that are soon to be carried out which will repair the extensive potholes, surface failures and wheel ruts.,” Mr Walsh said.
“VicRoads have identified that this section of the Loddon Valley Highway requires complete pavement reconstruction to fix the road surface for the long term.
“These improvements will not only create a smoother, safer road for motorists but will also preserve the longevity of the road and reduce the maintenance it requires in future,” he said.
“This is the first of a number of road restorations planned for the north central region of the state as part of the Victorian Government’s road pavement repair and restore package.
“The works announced today are another example of the Government’s commitment to maintaining and preserving road infrastructure on major freight and commuter routes throughout Victoria.”
Additional resealing works along the Loddon Valley Highway, which is also partially funded through the repair and restore program, will also be undertaken at the same time.

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, today announced that works will soon begin on the

final phase of a $2.5 million project to improve the safety of the Wimmera Highway

between Vanrenans Road and the Wedderburn-Logan Road, near Logan.

 

Mr Walsh said the works, funded through the TAC Safer Roads Infrastructure Program in 2010/11, involve a range of run-off-road crash treatments on the highway between

Kooreh and Cochranes Creek.

 

“Safety measures such as shoulder sealing, tactile linemarking and installation of new

wire rope safety barriers will be undertaken along various sections of this 15 km stretch

of the highway,” Mr Walsh said.

 

“The upcoming works complement road safety improvements undertaken earlier this

year, including the installation of new bridge approach guard fence to the structure

across Fentons Creek, at Logan.

 

“The 15km length of highway has gravel shoulders, which can make it difficult for

drivers who veer off the sealed road surface to recover control of their vehicle.

 

“Sealing the shoulders will provide errant drivers with greater opportunity to regain

control; while the introduction of safety barriers will reduce the impact severity of

vehicles colliding with roadside objects.

 

“During the period between January 2005 and December 2011, there were nine

casualty crashes along this stretch of the highway, including three fatalities and four

serious injury crashes.

 

“These safety treatments have proved to be effective in helping to reduce the

severity of crashes and the likelihood of vehicles losing control and running off the

highway.”

 

Construction works are expected to begin during November and be completed in mid 2013.

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, has endorsed the Victorian Government’s anti ‘dooring’ campaign in an effort to reduce the number of bike riders who suffer from serious injury due to the opening of car doors by drivers and passengers.
“Many cyclists end up with serious injury or worse from collisions with car doors being opened in front of them or in their attempts to avoid these sudden obstacles,” Mr Walsh said today.
“All drivers and passengers need to be aware of the possibility of cyclists riding past their stationary vehicle.
“It is a simple matter of checking for bikes before you open your door,” he said.
A campaign to alert car users of the dangers of ‘dooring’ includes the use of free sticker packs which contain the simple message ‘look for bikes’.
These stickers are available from VicRoads or online from www.vic.gov.au.
“The message is very simple,” Mr Walsh said. “Look for bike riders before opening the car door.”
“We can all play a part in reducing road trauma and this is a very easy but basic rule we can all adopt as road users.”

Works associated with a $1.1 million package to repair flood damaged arterial roads in and around the Kerang area have been completed.
Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, said that completion of repairs to a section of the Loddon Valley Highway south of Kerang, was the final step in reconnecting local communities which were devastated by flood.
“Following last year’s floods, as well as dealing with damage to homes and property, residents faced the extra burden of trying to travel to work and community activities along roads severely impacted upon by water,” Mr Walsh said.
Many roads were so severely damaged by the flooding that repairing them presented significant technical challenges with the Murray Valley Highway, between the Loddon Valley Highway and Sleepy Lane, south of Kerang, having to be one of the roads which had to be entirely rebuilt.
Arterial roads in the area that underwent significant repairs and are now open to traffic include:
• Murray Valley Highway, near the weigh station to the north of Kerang.
• Kerang-Murrabit Road,
• Kerang-Koondrook Road, between Kenny Road and Pyramid Creek.
“Works to repair these roads were wide-ranging, and included laying brand new road bases, returning road heights to their original levels, strengthening and stabilising roads, and applying new seals and linemarking,” Mr Walsh said.
“Over the coming weeks, VicRoads will carry out ‘tidy up’ work, such as removing debris from culverts and around bridge structures in the area.”
Monitoring of road surfaces will also continue for some time.
Motorists are reminded that due to the nature of the works, some roads may still be under speed restrictions. VicRoads asks drivers to observe the changed traffic conditions for their safety.
Mr Walsh thanked the community for their patience while flood repair works have been carried out.

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, today announced that works have begun on a $2.5 million project to improve the safety of the Wimmera Highway between Vanrenans Road and the Wedderburn-Logan Road, near Logan.
The project will involve a range of run-off-road crash treatments.
“Safety measures such as shoulder sealing, tactile linemarking and installation of new wire rope safety barriers will be undertaken along various sections of a 15 km stretch of the highway,” Mr Walsh said.
“The works will also include installation of guard fences at the approach to the structure across Fentons Creek, at Logan.
“The 15km length of highway has gravel shoulders, which can make it difficult for drivers who veer off the sealed pavement to recover control of their vehicle.
“Sealing the shoulders will provide drivers with greater opportunity to regain control in the event of running off the road; while the introduction of safety barriers will reduce the impact and severity of vehicles colliding with fixed roadside objects,” he said.
“During the period between January 2005 and December 2011, there were nine casualty crashes along this stretch of the highway, including three fatalities and four serious injury crashes.
“Eight of those nine were run-off-road type crashes, involving vehicles colliding with fixed roadside objects. The other was a head on crash.
“These safety treatments are important in helping to reduce both the severity of crashes and the likelihood of vehicles losing control and running off the highway,” Mr Walsh said.
Works are expected to be completed in late 2012.

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, today announced funding for major strengthening works on a bridge over the Pyramid Creek near Kerang.
“The Victorian Government has allocated $395,000 to strengthen the Murrabit-Kerang Road bridge over the Pyramid Creek,” Mr Walsh said.
“The bridge, constructed more than 30 years ago, was constructed using pre-cast concrete U-beams.
“The increases in heavy vehicle size and use over the last few decades have started to take their toll.
“The strengthening work will ensure that the service life of the bridge is prolonged for years to come,” he said.
The works will involve strengthening and safety improvements such as laying new reinforced concrete deck overlays and the installation of new barrier rails and approach guardrails.
Work to improve the road surface will also be carried out on the bridge approaches.
“The works are expected to be completed by mid 2012,” Mr Walsh said.
“Once the project is complete, motorists will enjoy the benefits of a stronger and safer bridge.
“These works are part of the government’s commitment to provide improved road infrastructure that benefits all Victorians,” he said.