The Heygarth St and Hare St intersection was identified as a priority for safety upgrades during the 2024-25 round of the Federal Black Spot Program funding allocations.
Photo by
Louie Cina
After sitting on funding for more than two years, the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning has chosen Echuca’s peak business time in the lead-up to Christmas to turn Hare St into a dead end.
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Two raised wombat crossings will be installed on Hare St, the Heygarth St median divider on the west side of the intersection will be extended, and the northbound lane of Hare St converted to left-turn-only.
A copy of a letter detailing the works sent to affected residents and businesses by the Department of Transport and Planning.
Photo by
Supplied
The upgrade is the responsibility of the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, with the federally-funded project already delayed once for design changes, following consultation with Campaspe Shire Council.
During the completion of works, Hare St will be closed at the intersection of Heygarth St for four weeks from November 18.
Vehicle access to Heygarth St is not expected to be affected during the planned six-week project.
Hare St businesses will still be trading, accessible from Radcliffe St in the north and Anstruther St in the south.
Signs warning motorists of delays have been installed at the intersection near Heygarth St.
Photo by
Louie Cina
The safety upgrades were identified as a priority in 2024, with Canberra allocating $435,000 to the Victorian Government through its Black Spot Program.
In July, Campaspe Shire Council said custom light poles, commissioned to maintain consistency with the historic precinct, had been installed in November 2025, and, beyond the design phase and heritage consultation, council had no further involvement in the project.
Under the program’s guidelines, physical works must be completed within two financial years, or three where exceptional circumstances apply, or risk losing federal funding.
The Department of Transport and Planning is yet to respond to questions about what the exceptional circumstances were.
