The approaches to the three new roundabouts on Healesville-Kooweerup Road at Hall and Ballarto roads and south of Deep Creek represent a simple, but effective means of reducing speed and minimising accidents.
Instead of approaching the roundabout head-on as is common on most roundabouts in Victoria, there are a series of gently sweeping curves. These gradual rolling curves help to dramatically cut the speed of approaching vehicles entering the roundabout, meaning they enter the intersection at safer speeds for all road users.
“A safer Healesville-Kooweerup Road is being delivered with the new roundabouts utilising curved approaches to decrease entry speed and increase visibility,“ Major Road Projects Victoria Program director Marc Peterson said.
“These curves help slow oncoming vehicles on approach and enable them to better see oncoming traffic.
“These changes are a subtle, but extremely effective way to drive down the potential for serious crashes across the project area.”
The curved approach also means cars enter the roundabout at an angle to other vehicles, significantly lessening the likelihood of serious crashes. The dual lane layout of the roundabouts ensures sufficient traffic capacity for current and future forecasted traffic volumes.
Healesville-Kooweerup Road had at least 43 incidents resulting in five fatalities and 21 serious injuries through collisions between 2016 and September 2021, with the project directly working to address the safety concerns on this major thoroughfare in Melbourne’s outer south east.
Other safety improvements on the new Healesville-Kooweerup Road include:
-Continuous safety barriers on both sides of road throughout the upgraded area
-A new signalised intersection at Greenhills Road to improve safety for drivers turning in and out of Greenhills Road
-New shared user paths for pedestrians and cyclists as well as safer crossing points at Greenhills Road.
There is plenty happening over the next few months on the Healesville-Kooweerup Road Upgrade as we continue to make great progress towards completion of major works. This includes:
-opening the new signalised intersection at Greenhills Road, providing better access to and from the industrial estate
-reopening the upgraded intersections at Ellett and Island roads, with left-in and left-out access to improve safety and traffic flow on Healesville-Kooweerup Road
-installed traffic signs and temporary line marking, guardrail, and wire rope safety barriers along sections of the new road
-finished 18 of the 40 culverts we’re building to manage water flow under the road and provide safe access for wildlife
Across on the Pakenham Roads Upgrade, work is now complete to widen the Gippsland-bound freeway ramp and upgrade the roundabout, making it easier to exit the Princes Freeway to McGregor Road.
Other works on the Pakenham Roads Upgrade include:
– Continuing works on the new Healesville-Kooweerup Road bridge over the Princes Freeway which is scheduled to open later this year
-In early May the Gippsland-bound lanes of the Princes Freeway will close over a weekend to complete asphalting works on the new lane
-Work is being done behind barriers on McGregor Road to build the new northbound lanes
