Tuesday, 18 June 2024

Northern Victoria Region

Wendy LOVELL (Northern Victoria) (14:07): (919) My question is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. In April 2023 five lives were lost in a horrific accident at the intersection of Labuan Road and Murray Valley Highway. Since that day I have continually advocated for safety improvements at the intersection, so imagine my excitement when I heard that the federal government has allocated $2.16 million in black spot funding to implement the changes I have been lobbying the state government to undertake. The project is to include the removal of the hump in the road and trees along Labuan Road and the installation of upgraded and lighted signage and new rumble strips, amongst other improvements. Recent resurfacing of this portion of Labuan Road has actually made the intersection less safe as the rumble strips have been sealed over and white lines that offer no vibrating warning to motorists have been painted in their place. Locals continue to report near misses as cars career through the intersection and across the highway, so these works must be prioritised. Minister, will you ensure that work on these federally funded safety improvements commences immediately?