Lights to fix intersection
THE Wonthaggi community was given an opportunity to voice its opinion about traffic signals and a raised road safety platform proposed for one of the town’s busiest intersections last Wednesday.
VicRoads held a community drop in session at the Wonthaggi Centennial Centre to discuss improving the intersection of Bass Highway (McKenzie Street) and Korumburra- Wonthaggi Road.
VicRoads team leader integrated transport and land use Chris Padovan said while the traffic lights were normal, the raised platform was a point of difference for the intersection.
“It is designed to encourage drivers to slow down as they approach and travel through the intersection,” he said.
“Based on the lower speeds, if someone makes a mistake it should minimise injury.”
Mr Padovan said the design of the intersection aimed to provide balance between general traffic and equity of access for pedestrians and cyclists.
“Providing that balance was important, particularly with schools close by,” he said.
Mr Padovan said some people attending drop in session questioned the appropriateness of traffic lights, opposed to a roundabout.
“The proposed intersection is better for pedestrians and the footprint of a roundabout would have impacted on nearby properties, which was not a great outcome for the local community,” he said.
Anne-Marie Adamson moved to Wonthaggi around 12 months ago and said one of the appeals of the town was the lack of traffic lights.
“I think VicRoads could work a bit harder to install a roundabout there instead. I feel for the long term benefit of the town, it should be something they investigate carefully,” she said
“Roundabouts flow really well. You are not left sitting there.”
Mr Padovan said generally, the drop in session was positive.
“A lot of people have concerns about the intersection as it currently is, particularly around delays and safety,” he said.
“People feel uncomfortable using it and avoid it, which puts a strain on the local road network.”
Mr Padovan said VicRoads will continue to work with the local community, refine the design and work with the State Government for potential funding opportunities.
“The project is estimated to be worth $3.7 million and we would expect it to take around two years to construct,” he said.
“The first year would include underground relocations and the second year to build the actual intersection.”
Mr Padovan said construction would be scheduled to avoid busy periods like Christmas.
“We would work with the local community and the bass Coast
Intersection questions: Anne-Marie Adamson from Wonthaggi and VicRoads planning engineer Luke Bryant discuss the traffic lights and raised road safety platform proposed an intersection in Wonthaggi.
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Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Nov 29 2016. Filed under Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
