Myrtleford earth-moving and bitumen sealing company GW & BR Crameri Pty Ltd has been awarded an $800,000 contract and will start work on the project this month.

About a dozen workers will revamp the intersection of the Murray Valley Highway and Barnawartha-Howlong Road.

VicRoads regional director Bryan Sherritt said the intersection was part of an important freight and tourist road on the Murray River so it was vital it was safe.

The intersection’s approaches will be upgraded with line-marking and new signs and right-turn lanes and traffic islands added.

“This work will provide drivers with a safer place to turn and will help slow drivers through the intersection,” Mr Sherritt said.

The highway black- spot has been the site of several serious crashes, including a fatality in 2012.

Member for Benambra Bill Tilley said the project would reduce the risk of crashes and the severity of those that did occur by providing several known road safety improvements.

“Victoria has recently recorded its lowest road toll since 1924,” he said.

“This can largely be attributed to our focus on investing in a safe, reliable and efficient road network for all road users.

“Our focus needs to be on building on these results to ensure that we remain a world leader in road safety.”

Ray Fisher, who lives near the intersection, was relieved when funding for the upgrade was announced last October.

“It will be a vast improvement,” he said at the time.

“We are happy with everything they plan to do there.”