The $2 million intersection upgrade will enhance safety and improve traffic flow at the five-way intersection of Gilmore Street, South Road, Cahills Road, Woods Road, and Old Wilby Road with the site currently presenting an increasing risk profile due to rising traffic volumes driven by development within the area.
It will also improve pedestrian access and drainage and will include footpaths, kerbs, landscaping and signage.
The intersection has been identified as the highest risk in Moira Shire by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), with countless traffic accidents including a double fatality in July 2015 and several near misses in recent years, garnering funding through the Victorian Government’s Safe Local Roads and Streets program.
Moira Shire Council Chair Administrator Dr Graeme Emonson PSM said the project would provide a significant improvement to road safety in Yarrawonga.
“Yarrawonga is growing rapidly, and we need to ensure the urban road networks within our towns can support the increase in traffic as the population and road usage grows,” Dr Emonson said.
“Residential growth and traffic is predicted to continue to increase, and given the intersection’s existing high-risk profile, this is an important project for council to be progressing.
“The "Five Ways" intersection has been under consideration for modernisation for some time and is a long-awaited and much needed project for Yarrawonga.
“I’m delighted to see the enablement of this project to get underway at the earliest opportunity.
“I am also pleased to note that the project will come within the allocated budget.”
Due to the identification of this intersection as the highest risk and greatest need of improvement in the Moira Shire, the TAC have provided funding to council to enable this important construction proceeds.
The new roundabout and associated raised pedestrian crossings and curb works will be partly funded by the council ($400,000) and a state government grant from the Safe Local Roads and Street Program ($1.2 million). Council has budgeted $1.2 million for 2024/25 budget and will plan to allocate a further $400,000 in the 2025/26 budget for the project.
The total value of the intersection upgrade project is $2,009,565 ex GST, which includes $441,334 ex GST already spent in Phase 1 on electrical and design works.
Phase 2 has a budget allocation of $1,600,000 ex GST, with $580,000 ex GST contributed by Council and $1,020,000 ex GST secured from TAC funding as per the 2024/25 capital budget.
The recommended tender amount for Phase 2 is $1,170,487.50 ex GST, which, along with other expected project costs still to come of $397,743 ex GST, results in an overall cost exceeding the initial budget.
As well as the five-way intersection, Woods Road will also be redeveloped with new curb and channel works to be constructed on the west side of the road, along with further pedestrian access, new paths, road width to include allowance for parking along Woods Road and an updated entry to the Yarrawonga Cemetery.
Moira Shire Council Project Manager Paul Diffey said the construction of the roundabout is expected to begin within the next month and be completed by April 2025 with the upgrades to Woods Road expected to be finished in the second half of 2025.
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