By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
IT’S been the site of two fatalities and 17 crashes in the past five years, and now funding has been secured to build a roundabout at the notorious intersection at Pearcedale.
The State Government will pour $6.2 million into the Western Port Highway and Robinsons Road intersection to build a dual-lane roundabout.
It’s been more than a year since the death of 19-year-old Olivia Steadman-Meconi prompted a massive plea from locals for a roundabout to be built.
The planned roundabout will remove the problem of motorists failing to give way at the intersection and failing to select safe gaps in traffic when crossing onto the Highway.
The upgrade will address the history of crashes that all involved vehicles colliding while travelling through the intersection.
Interim safety improvements were made to the intersection, which included banning turn movements, but it didn’t stop everyone.
The News reported on incidents of road users disobeying the interim measures in September last year. Planning work on the roundabout is expected to start this year, with construction due to start in 2017.
Member for Hastings Neale Burgess said the roundabout will stand as a tribute to those who have tragically lost their lives at this intersection.
“The Robinsons Road site is one of the most dangerous intersections in the south-east, so it will be great to see this project take shape,” Mr Burgess said.
“Our local communities have won a great victory and should be very proud of their achievement. They fought long and hard to try and prevent any further tragedies from occurring at this intersection.”
