Safer Local Roads and Streets Program

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A series of local road and pedestrian safety upgrades will soon get underway in Portland, thanks to funding secured through the Victorian Government's Safe Local Roads and Streets Program (SLRSP).

The funding boost will support a range of targeted improvements starting in Portland by addressing high use locations and known safety concerns, including pedestrian access and street lighting.

Works include upgrading pedestrian crossings to raised priority crossings to improve visibility and encourage slower vehicle speeds, as well as installing new roundabouts to better manage traffic flow and reduce crash risk at key intersections. Additional measures involve reducing speed limits across selected streets, upgrading street lighting, and constructing pedestrian safety islands, kerb outstands, and improved footpath connections.

Together, these treatments aim to create safer, more accessible streets by calming traffic, improving pedestrian priority, and supporting safer movement within local communities. Further works in other key locations will be announced as funding is secured.

This page is being used to help us inform community via updates throughout the project.

You can click on the map to see the locations of works taking place and find out more information. The map will be updated throughout the life cycle of this project.

Got a question about the project? You can submit questions to our Projects team here

A series of local road and pedestrian safety upgrades will soon get underway in Portland, thanks to funding secured through the Victorian Government's Safe Local Roads and Streets Program (SLRSP).

The funding boost will support a range of targeted improvements starting in Portland by addressing high use locations and known safety concerns, including pedestrian access and street lighting.

Works include upgrading pedestrian crossings to raised priority crossings to improve visibility and encourage slower vehicle speeds, as well as installing new roundabouts to better manage traffic flow and reduce crash risk at key intersections. Additional measures involve reducing speed limits across selected streets, upgrading street lighting, and constructing pedestrian safety islands, kerb outstands, and improved footpath connections.

Together, these treatments aim to create safer, more accessible streets by calming traffic, improving pedestrian priority, and supporting safer movement within local communities. Further works in other key locations will be announced as funding is secured.

This page is being used to help us inform community via updates throughout the project.

You can click on the map to see the locations of works taking place and find out more information. The map will be updated throughout the life cycle of this project.

Got a question about the project? You can submit questions to our Projects team here

  • Bentinck and Fern Street Roundabout and Associated Works - Works update

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    Construction of the Bentinck Street and Fern Street Roundabout and Associated Works is expected to begin Monday 22 June 2026, with the completion anticipated to be late August 2026, weather permitting.

    What's happening:

    • New roundabout including raised pedestrian crossings.
    • Improvements to lighting, signage, pavement and line‑markings.
    • Removal of a tree within the construction footprint.
    • Extension of the 50km/h speed zone on Bentinck Street from Fern Street through to Wade Street.
    • A couple car parks on the north leg of Bentinck Street, just after the intersection, will be permanently removed.
    • A few car parks on Fern Street near the intersection will be temporarily unavailable during works.

    Traffic changes:

    • Single‑lane alternating flow on Bentinck Street via temporary traffic lights.
    • Fern Street closed at the intersection, with detours via Milbanke Street.
    • Emergency access will be maintained at all times.
    • Signage and message boards will notify drivers of the changed conditions.

    To everyone travelling through the area, thank you for your patience and support, we’re building something safer and better for the whole community, and we appreciate you being part of the journey.

    Construction of the Bentinck Street and Fern Street Roundabout and Associated Works is expected to begin Monday 22 June 2026, with the completion anticipated to be late August 2026, weather permitting.

    What's happening:

    • New roundabout including raised pedestrian crossings.
    • Improvements to lighting, signage, pavement and line‑markings.
    • Removal of a tree within the construction footprint.
    • Extension of the 50km/h speed zone on Bentinck Street from Fern Street through to Wade Street.
    • A couple car parks on the north leg of Bentinck Street, just after the intersection, will be permanently removed.
    • A few car parks on Fern Street near the intersection will be temporarily unavailable during works.

    Traffic changes:

    • Single‑lane alternating flow on Bentinck Street via temporary traffic lights.
    • Fern Street closed at the intersection, with detours via Milbanke Street.
    • Emergency access will be maintained at all times.
    • Signage and message boards will notify drivers of the changed conditions.

    To everyone travelling through the area, thank you for your patience and support, we’re building something safer and better for the whole community, and we appreciate you being part of the journey.