$2.3m works to begin on Riddell Road

A $2.3 million project to improve safety on one of Sunbury’s busiest arterial roads should be completed by the end of the year.

Sunbury MP Josh Bull last week inspected Riddell Road, where 17 serious crashes, including one fatality, were recorded in the five years to December last year.

Upgrades to prevent run-off-road crashes will include installation of 3.8 kilometres of guard rails and 1.1 kilometres of wire rope safety barriers. Line marking and drainage will also be improved.

Crews will seal about 600 metres of road shoulder between the intersection of Phillip Drive and Canterbury Avenue in Sunbury and the Jacksons Creek bridge in Riddells Creek. Mr Bull said the state government was delivering safety upgrades where they were most needed.

‘‘These improvements will make Riddell Road safer for all motorists and reduce the risk and severity of run-off crashes,’’ he said.

Sunbury motorist Adele Wood, who has lived in the area for more than 20 years, said drivers would welcome the changes.

‘‘It’s long overdue. At the moment, it’s quite difficult,” Ms Wood said.

“You often have to put two tyres onto dirt because of oncoming traffic.’’