Hundreds of students and families will have a safer journey to and from school, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government’s investment in new pedestrian lights at a busy intersection on Sturt Street.

Works have started on the installation of new pedestrian-operated traffic lights at the intersection of Sturt, Russell and Morrison streets.

The work is funded as part of the Government’s $4.8 million investment in improving connections between Ballarat’s CBD and the city’s rapidly expanding western suburbs.

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said with traffic volumes increasing on the western end of Sturt Street as the city grows, the new lights will make it easier and safer for students to cross the busy road.

Installation of the lights follows a series of upgrades in the area, including extending the east-bound right turning lane from Sturt Street into Russell Street.

A left-turn lane from Russell Street into Sturt Street has also been built and will be opened to traffic once the new pedestrian lights are complete.

The school crossing near Loreto College will be removed and students will use the new signalised intersection to cross Sturt Street instead.

As well as improving safety, these upgrades will improve the flow of traffic, particularly during peak work and school times.

Other works delivered as part of the Sturt Street West Improvements package include upgrades to the intersections of Sturt Street and Wanliss, Vale and Longley streets, as well as improvements on service roads around Ballarat High School and Ballarat Clarendon College.

Installation of the new traffic lights is expected to take about six weeks to complete.

Quotes attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“These changes are all about making sure everyone travelling along the busy western end of Sturt Street can get to where they need to go safely and efficiently.”

“Once they’re installed, the new traffic lights will make it safer for everyone to cross the street – including the hundreds of students who walk to and from schools in the area each day.”