More than $4 million in road upgrades will be delivered to Bendigo roads by mid-2021.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The City of Greater Bendigo will complete the works, as part of the state government's $20 million Safe Travel in Local Streets program.
The upgrades will be undertaken across some of Bendigo's most populous suburbs.
In California Gully, the upgrades include a new roundabout at the intersection of Nelson and Wood Streets, with new traffic islands and six speed humps along Wood Street.
In Eaglehawk, the stretch of Averys Road between Howard Street and Simpsons road will receive new footpaths, kerbing, pedestrian islands and improved street lighting.
Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan said the works will help decrease collisions at key intersections.
"These upgrades will make local streets across the city safer for pedestrians with new crossings and other treatments to slow traffic," Ms Allan said.
In about a year's time, Hargreaves Street in Golden Square will feature new pedestrian crossings, kerbing and footpaths between Thistle and Maple Streets to give pedestrians a safe place to cross the road and alert drivers to be more careful at the crossings.
A new roundabout will be built at Barkly and Bancroft Streets in Bendigo, with a pedestrian crossing and safer school bus parking area to be installed in nearby Valentine Street.
Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards said the upgrades are about reducing road trauma.
"Whether you're driving, riding or walking through Bendigo, these upgrades are all about reducing the unacceptable level of road trauma occurring across regional Victoria," Ms Edwards said.
According to data from the Transport Accident Commission, lives lost on all Victorian roads are down 25 per cent compared to the same in 2019.
On July 9, 2019, 156 lives had been lost on Victorian roads, compared to 117 at the same time this year.
There has been a 40 per cent decrease in lives lost on rural roads, from 83 to 50.
The state government's funding for road upgrades is being mirrored across 19 other regional Victorian precincts.
Regional Roads Victoria has worked with councils to design upgrades that address safety issues in areas with a high crash history.
The road works are part of the government's $1.4 billion partnership with the TAC to reduce road trauma.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll said the program is about improving road safety across the entire network.
"We're working closely with councils on safety upgrades across Victoria, addressing community concerns and improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers," he said.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.