Another crash at an intersection on the outskirts of Bendigo at which there have been two fatalities and seven serious crashes in the last six years was timely reminder to drive safely this festive season, VicRoads says. 

The acting Ravenswood Interchange project director Catherine Gunn said the number of crashes was “unacceptable” and said VicRoads was building a new interchange to prevent crashes like yesterdays from reoccurring.

“Yesterday's crash, particularly right before Christmas, reminds us all how important it is for our community to have safe roads,” she said. 

“Keeping people alive on our roads is our number one priority and we are striving to achieve safe roads and safe speeds.” 

Three people were taken to hospital yesterday for observation, but Ms Gunn said the incident could have been even more serious under previous speed limits.  

​”After two fatalities and a series of serious crashes, VicRoads lowered the speed limit of the Calder Highway at Ravenswood to 80km in early 2014,” she said.

“It is clear that the impact of yesterday's crash would have been much greater if the speed limit had still been 100km.” 

Ms Gunn said early works for the new interchange were now underway. She said construction would start in early 2016, with the new interchange expected to be open to traffic in late 2017.

The new interchange will comprise of a circulating roadway that will separate slower traffic from highway traffic, removing the need for motorists to stop and start, to move from one road to another and to cross or join highway traffic, Ms Gunn said.  

”The new Ravenswood Interchange will improve safety by separating high speed highway traffic from slower moving traffic,” she said. 

“[It] will introduce a circular roadway that enables motorists to come from Mildura and continue to Bendigo or go towards Melbourne, without having to stop, find a gap and join fast-moving traffic on the Calder Highway.”