Works begin at Woorndoo to make road safer for trucks
Works have started on the upgrade of a section of Woorndoo-Streatham Road as part of a joint-project by Ararat Rural City Council and Moyne Shire Council to make the road safer, especially for heavy vehicle transport supporting the region’s agriculture.
Ararat Rural City Council and Moyne Shire Council each contributed more than $400,000 for the widening and reconstruction of the section of road between Warings Lane and Pagels Lane in Woorndoo. The work is expected to take several weeks by Moyne Shire Council and is supported by a $550,000 grant under the Federal Government’s Roads to Recovery Grants Program.
Moyne Shire Mayor Jordan Lockett said he was excited to see road upgrades being extended on the Woorndoo-Streatham Road as an important travel route for our agricultural sector.
“This project will use state of the art stabilising equipment and technology as part of the foundation works” Cr Lockett said. “A solid sub-base layer makes for a stronger and longer lasting final road surface.”
ARCC CEO Dr Tim Harrison said current road improvement works in ARCC also included the construction of the new bridge over Mount Cole Creek on Buangor-Ben Nevis road.
“Then new bridge should be open to traffic from March 25, with drivers expected to carefully use the new bridge deck under strict safety traffic conditions,” said Dr Harrison. “As part of this $10 million package of works, we’ll start working strengthening the bridge over Billy Billy Creek next month.”
The new raised crossing at High Street is now finished and works started this week on a raised pedestrian crossing at the existing one in Barkly Street at the lights. The road will remain open during the works, with half the crossing closed at a time to maintain essential traffic flow in Ararat’s CBD.
Both projects are funded by the Victorian Government’s Safe System Pedestrian Infrastructure Program.
“People have been asking why we are putting in raised pedestrian crossings,” said CEO Dr Tim Harrison. “Firstly, these pedestrian crossings were highlighted as part of a safety audit because of their locations and different types of users. They’re designed to slow vehicles down because they work like a speed hump and make drivers slow down. And, if pedestrians stand slightly higher on the road surface, they are more visible. The raised design of the crossing also makes it safer and easier for wheelchair users, parents with prams, people with mobility and visual impairments to cross the road.”
Work has begun on the new covered sports arena for the Ararat Pony Club, as well as a new kitchen at the Buangor Recreation Reserve clubrooms. Later in the month Council will start work on the new toilet block for the Mininera Recreation Reserve.
“We’ve also just put some new carpet and blinds in the Mininera clubrooms too, which will make things a lot more comfortable for the upcoming football season,” said Dr Harrison. “It’s great to get some jobs done around our community assets to keep them well maintained.”
For regular project updates go to Engage Ararat or follow Council on Facebook or Instagram.
