Benalla Rural City Council is seeking input on the proposed intersection closure by January 19. 

Mayor Don Firth said council’s primary concern was the safety of motorists and they were investigating potential issues that might arise from the closure.

“There has been a double fatality and another accident resulting in serious injuries at this location in the last 12 months and as a Council, it is important that we work with the relevant authorities to improve the safety of the intersection,” he said.

Cr Firth said alternative access to the freeway was four or seven minutes away.

Acting North East Regional Director, Steve McCallum said they were working closely with Victoria Police and Benalla Rural City Council to investigate ways of improving road safety.

“We are meeting with Council and representatives from Victoria Police early in February to review the feedback and discuss possible solutions,” he said.

Neither the council nor VicRoads answered questions around why closure was being proposed over alternative solutions.

VicRoads did not answer questions on whether they recommended the closure of the intersection to council nor what it would cost to upgrade safety at the intersection.

The council website says a sign at the site shows the closure was always envisaged, traffic levels exceeded thresholds and the Benalla-Winton interchange upgrade had changed the safety landscape.