By Aneeka Simonis
A NOTORIOUSLY dangerous intersection in Pakenham will be upgraded to better protect disabled pedestrians.
Traffic lights at the intersection of McGregor Road and Princes Highway will also be remodelled under the $681,000 State Government safety upgrade.
Crash data at the site shows there have been 15 recorded casualty crashes where people required medical attention in the five-year period ending in June 2015.
Most crashes occur when vehicles turn right from either McGregor Road or The Avenue.
The funding will make sure motorists can turn without having to pick a gap in oncoming traffic or pedestrians crossing the road.
Data shows two-thirds of all casualty crashes recorded at the intersection related to cars seeking to turn right.
The pedestrian crosswalks across Princes Highway will also be staggered so that pedestrians will need to cross the highway in two different stages of the traffic light cycle.
The redesign intends to assist people with disabilities to cross the intersection on foot more safely, said Eastern Victoria Region Daniel Mulino MP.
The safety upgrade will be funded as part of the government’s Safe System Road Infrastructure Program funded by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and delivered by VicRoads.
VicRoads Regional director Aidan McGann the project formed an important part of the Towards Zero road safety vision – which was to have a 15 per cent reduction in serious injuries and less than 200 deaths on Victorian roads by 2020.
“Serious injuries are the hidden road toll and this project will address the past history at this intersection,” Mr McGann said.
VicRoads will deliver the project in the first half of 2017.
