VicRoads unveiled the speed reduction at the accident hotspot on the outskirts of Wodonga, where a senior policeman was amazed no one had been killed.

The approaches to the McKoy Street-Old Barnawartha Road intersection now have an 80km/h speed limit between 7am and 7pm.

Temporary electronic signs were installed at the site yesterday and will be eventually replaced by permanent signage.

There have been 18 crashes and 31 people injured at the intersection since 2007, and Sergeant Cameron Roberts said it was only “dumb luck” there hadn’t been a death.

“We really welcome these changes,” he said.

“There have been a few times where we look at the circumstances of a crash, where if a car had have been a metre or two forward, or a metre back, it could have been disastrous.

“Ideally what we’d have here is on-ramps, off-ramps and overpasses, but that’s a fairly expensive fix.

“I think the next best option is reducing speed and making sure people stick to it.”

VicRoads is investigating long-term solutions to the problem with Wodonga Council, which may include an interchange at the site or modifications to other interchanges.

Installing an on-ramp from Melrose Drive into the southbound lanes is one option.

“One question will be, is this the right location for an interchange, or is another location a better one?” VicRoads regional director Bryan Sherritt said.

“(We’ll be) looking at other interchanges as well.

“It’s about how Wod- onga interfaces with the freeway and making it work.”

VicRoads is looking at funding from the Transport Accident Commission to upgrade the highway, which could include Wodonga.

Cr Mike Fraser said the council was also looking to install rumble strips on McKoy Street and welcomed the reduced speed.

“Anything that’s going to help make this interchange safer has to be a plus,” he said.

Police will be targeting motorists who speed along the stretch of road.