On 19 February 2020, a motorcycle safety audit was conducted on Hollow Tree Road, stretching almost 29 kilometres from Bothwell to the Lyell Highway.

This initiative was a collaborative effort between the Department of State Growth, Safe System Solutions, and the Central Highlands Council.

The route was selected due to its popularity among motorcyclists and crash history. Over the five years preceding the audit, 28 motorcycle crashes were recorded along the road, all of which occurred during daylight hours.

• 26 of crashes involved riders losing control and veering off the road.
• The majority of incidents occurred on bends or curved sections.

Infrastructure treatments informed by the audit were completed in 2021. This includes:

Speed Advisory Signage

• 60 speed signs installed.
• 9 existing speed signs removed.

Curve and Alignment Warning Signage

• 82 chevron alignment markers (CAMS) installed to improve curve guidance.
• 14 left curve warning signs installed.
• 11 right curve warning signs installed.

Shoulder Sealing and Curve Improvements:

• 3 curve shoulder treatments were installed to improve safety of sealed curves.
• 3 culvert extension improvements installed on both sides of the road to reduce edge drop-offs and improve run-off recovery.

Marked Tree Road Junction Safety Improvements:

• Extension of the existing sealed pavement on Marked Tree Road at its junction with Hollow Tree Road by 20 metres