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- February, 2012: Fix Calder junctions, urges CFA
- April, 2012: Bendigo regions’s roads a priority
- June, 2013: Ravenswood upgrades needed – council
- August, 2013: Parties splash cash on Ravenswood blackspot
- August, 2013: Ravenswood interchange gets government funding boost to aid safety
- August, 2014: Ravenswood intersection – first look at design
- December 2014: Speed limit reduction on the Calder Highway
- January, 2015: Lockwood crossing to get $3m roundabout
- December 2015: Ravenswood danger ‘unacceptable’
- April, 2016: May start for Calder upgrade
It has been more than four years since a local CFA captain called for improvements to two intersections on the Calder Alternate Highway.
In May, work will begin on improving one of central Victoria’s most dangerous intersections.
In February 2012, Lockwood CFA captain Jamie Tatt called for the improvement of two of central Victoria’s most notorious intersections.
The Lockwood-Maryborough intersection on the Calder Alternate Highway and the Calder Highway intersection at Ravenswood.
More than four years after Mr Tatt’s initial concerns, work will start on the Ravenswood upgrade.
It has been a long road for construction to start on the dangerous intersection.
After Mr Tatt began the conversation, then City of Greater Bendigo mayor Alec Sandner joined the chorus calling for funds to be included in the 2012 state budget.
In 2013, funds began to be secured for the Ravenswood upgrade.
The Victorian government, then led by Denis Napthine, announced it would contribute $41 million to completely rebuild the intersection with a "grade-separated interchange".
Mr Napthine said the intersection was “arguably the most dangerous intersection anywhere in Victoria”.
The next day both Liberal and Labour parties promised another $45 million if they won the 2013 election.
Twelve months after that designs were released showing a bridge running from the Calder Alternative over the top of the intersection to separate traffic entering the Calder.
It is estimated the Calder Highway carries 13,000 vehicles a day.
Even with plans in place and public knowledge of how dangerous the Ravenswood interchange was, crashes continued to occur there.
In six years there were seven serious crashes and two fatalities at the intersection.
Late in 2014, the speed limit was reduced from 100km/h to 80km/h. The speed reductions will remain in place until after the new interchange is completed in 2017.
Meanwhile, a $3 million roundabout is planned for the dangerous Lockwood intersection.
In January last year, VicRoads regional director Mal Kersting said VicRoads was developing a design for the TAC funded road safety project.
The design is set to be a significant safety improvement with a new large diameter roundabout and more street lighting to be installed.
