As the principal road link between Melbourne and Adelaide, the Western Highway (A8) serves interstate trade between Victoria and South Australia.

It is also the key transport corridor through Victoria’s western district, supporting farming, grain production, regional tourism and a range of manufacturing and service activities.

The Western Highway is one of Victoria’s busiest rural highways. Between 6500 (west of Ballarat) and 23,000 (between Melbourne and Ballarat) vehicles travel the road each day.

The Australian and Victorian governments have committed over half a billion dollars for the road’s upgrade.

About the upgrades

The highway between Ballarat and Stawell is being progressively duplicated and upgraded to provide a safer and more efficient four-lane divided route.

In addition to separating the traffic lanes, highway safety will be improved with sealed road shoulders, safety barriers, protected turning lanes, intersection improvements, and service lanes for local access at some locations.

These upgrades are an essential part of road safety improvements in Western Victoria.