By Bonny Burrows
A notoriously congested Pakenham intersection, branded a “disgrace” by a Cardinia councillor may be upgraded in the near future.
Cardinia Shire Council wants to see the Bald Hill and Kooweerup roads intersection improved, as part of a proposed $10 million infrastructure boost to Pakenham’s industrial area.
If council gets its way, the “undeveloped” estate will be buzzing with trade in the coming years, thanks to a 97 per cent landowner funded development.
But it first wants VicRoads to expedite its planned improvements to the Bald Hill and Kooweerup roads roundabout to cope with the expected increased traffic such a development would bring.
In its O’Sullivan-Hill-Peet Street Industrial Area Special Charge Scheme No 2 – the report on the proposed $10 million development – council acknowledges traffic issues in Bald Hill and Kooweerup roads as “a growing issue associated with the development of the wider area”, but one it could not tackle alone.
“It is considered likely Bald Hill Road will require widening in the future leading to destruction of any new kerb and channel in Bald Hill Road,” the report read.
“Widening will require further traffic management studies, and is beyond the scope of this scheme.”
At the 15 May council meeting, Cardinia councillors agreed upgrades were desperately needed and voted to lobby VicRoads to fast-track the works.
Central Ward councillor Collin Ross said there was a need for a “different avenue for traffic flow” to divert road users away from the intersection which was often gridlocked during peak times.
Councillor Graeme Moore agreed, slamming the intersection as one of the worst in the shire.
“It is a disgrace. We as a council need to advocate as strong as we can and more than we have,” Cr Moore said.
“Traffic will only increase when this scheme comes through.”
The council’s thoughts have been echoed by Gazette readers in recent months who have vented their frustrations on social media at standstill traffic, emphasised by the Racecourse Road boom gates and rail crossing.
Despite this, the State Government has not announced plans to remove the Pakenham rail crossing as part of its $1.6 billion Level Crossing Removal Project.
The Gazette understands VicRoads is investigating the possibility of a signalised Bald Hill and Kooweerup roads intersection; however such a project would require land acquisition from multiple properties and relocation of phone, internet, gas, water and electricity services.
VicRoads director of Operations Metro South East Michael Baker said the road authority had been working with Cardinia Shire Council to look at options to improve traffic flow at the intersection’s roundabout.
