Princes Highway (Murray Street), Colac - Black Spot Program

Update – December 2023 

New electronic speed limit signs have installed between Armstrong Street and Polwarth Street. Powercor will activate the signs in early 2024.

In early 2024, we will build a pedestrian refuge on Murray Street between Polwarth Street and Queen Street, making it safer for pedestrians to pause between lanes of traffic while crossing the road.

Future planned works include upgrading traffic lights on Murray Street, with right-turn arrows. Right-turn arrows will make these four intersections safer for vehicles and pedestrians:

• Queen Street
• Gellibrand Street
• Corangamite Street
• Grant Street/Hart Street.

We’ll provide updates on this stage of the program once schedules are confirmed.

Overview

We’re working along Murray Street in Colac to improve access and safety for all road users.

Murray Street is the main road through Colac with up to 15,000 vehicles travelling every day, including around 1900 heavy vehicles. This includes High Productivity Freight Vehicles such as quad-semi trailers and A-triple road trains.

Improvements along Murray Street include:

• new time-based electronic speed limit signs
• a new pedestrian refuge between Polwarth Street and Queen Street
• traffic light upgrades with right-turn arrows at Queen Street, Gellibrand Street, Corangamite Street and Grant Street/Hart Street intersections.

There were 24 crashes in the five-year period between 2014 and 2019, resulting in 10 serious injuries and two lives lost.

Benefits

Benefits of this project include:

• improved safety for all road users
• a daytime speed limit reduction, to reflect the busy nature of Murray Street for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles sharing the road
• safer pedestrian crossing opportunities
• renewed signs and line-marking.

What to expect while roadworks are underway

Temporary reduced speed limits will be in place while crews are working. Occasional lane closures, detours, and parking bay closures may be required.

Occasionally we may need to close sections of the footpath.

Please look out for signs alerting to changed conditions, and follow the advice of traffic management for the safety of all road users and our crews.

While works are underway in early 2024, we may need to temporarily close access to Barongarook Creek carpark. The carpark will reopen once works are complete.

Please allow extra time for your journey as minor delays are expected while works are underway.

People living and working closest to roadworks may experience increased noise, dust, vibrations or bright lights and beeping.

We’ll reach out directly to residents and traders if access is expected to temporarily change, and if we need to complete works overnight.

Get in touch

Call: 133 778

Email: [email protected]