MEMBER for Mildura Ali Cupper has welcomed a review by Road Safety Minister Ben Carroll into the intersection of Belar Avenue Extension and the Calder Highway in Irymple.
“This intersection has been a long-time hazard for motorists and a frequent site of serious crashes, including at the start of July,” Ms Cupper said.
“In the list of Sh*t Roads in the Mildura electorate, this one is way up there.
“It’s harrowing to navigate safely at certain times of the day, and the consistency of crashes at the T-intersection shows you how dangerous it truly is.”
The intersection most recently received State Government funding in June 2014, in response to four serious crashes at the site between 2008 and 2012.
$410,000 was spent to create a left turning lane off the Calder Highway, to seal the shoulders of the intersection, to improve the street lighting, and to re-locate an unprotected concrete power-pole.
“These works did address safety issues but the inherent problem with the intersection still remains, and clearly more needs to be done,” Ms Cupper said.
“If a motorist misjudges their turn off Belar Avenue, cars are hurtling down the Calder at 100 kilometres an hour in both directions.
“Crashes are still occurring now; they are in fact more frequent, they are still serious, and we shouldn’t wait around for more people to be injured or worse before something is done about it.”
Between 2016 and now, there has been at least 12 serious crashes at the site.
The State Government is currently monitoring the intersection for safety and is exploring potential solutions and funding options.
Work is also being undertaken to refresh and improve the line marking at the intersection.

Media enquiries: Wade Stephens 0423 905 581