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A WOMAN who has lived near the Lockwood Crossing for more than 20 years says VicRoads should consult with residents before installing a roundabout.
The crossing, where the Calder Alternate Highway meets the Bendigo-Maryborough Road, will undergo a $3 million upgrade to address the intersection's ongoing crash history.
A woman was killed and another critically injured in the most recent crash at the crossing last week.
The revamp includes installing a large diameter roundabout that will cater for long vehicles.
However, the Lockwood woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, said VicRoads should replace give way signs on the Bendigo-Maryborough Road with stop signs as a initial measure.
"There is nothing wrong with the roundabout, it's driver error," the woman said.
"I don't know how much good (a roundabout) would do, and how much paddock are we going to lose?
"Whose going to pay for it all? A lot of people's opinions are to try a stop sign.
"You stop at a stop sign but you don't have to stop at a give way sign. Try a stop sign to see if it works before you waste your money.
"I'm not against whatever they're going to do but the people in the area should have a bit of input into it."
The road safety project would be TAC funded, VicRoads said.
Street lighting would be installed to improve the visibility of the intersection.
The woman also raised concerns over noise levels caused by trucks having to change gears if a roundabout was installed. She said the noise level now was loud enough to "jump your cup out of the saucer".
"Can you imagine how many gear changes (truck drivers) are going to make and how it's going to slow down the traffic?" she said.
VicRoads plans to call tenders for the construction of the project later this year.
The Bendigo Advertiser is seeking a response from VicRoads as to whether residents will be consulted.