The highly-anticipated upgrades at the Melbourne Road and Kilmore Road intersection in Gisborne are now complete.
Safety upgrades were finished in just five months, ahead of schedule, and include a new roundabout, shared user paths for cyclists and pedestrians and improved street lighting.
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas announced the completion at the site on Friday and said locals could now “say goodbye” to regular near-miss collisions at the intersection.
She thanked the community for their patience while works took place.
A $12.5 million state government election commitment funded the project, which included the building of a new and wider bridge over Bunjil Creek.
The removal of the previous, historic bluestone bridge to make way for the upgrades was controversial. Star Weekly reported in June the bridge was demolished a month before it was found to meet heritage standards protecting its destruction.
In a statement, the government said the bluestone foundations of the old bridge were “carefully deconstructed” into single blocks by a specialist stonemason, which features on the new bridge and in footpath paving around the intersection.
“The roundabout incorporates a large existing oak tree in the centre to fit with Gisborne’s character. Arborists took grafts from two large elm trees which were removed as part of the project. We’ve carefully grown genetically identical plants from the removed trees,” the government said.
“They will be planted at the intersection in Spring.”
Roads and Road Safety Minister Ben Carroll said the completion of the upgrade months ahead of schedule was a “fantastic outcome”.
“This is an important election commitment that we’ve delivered… that will improve the flow of traffic and road safety for Gisborne,” Mr Carroll said.
Elsie Lange
