By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
VICROADS is drawing up a roundabout proposal for a treacherous Pearcedale intersection which claimed the life of a 19-year-old girl in May.
In a letter to Hastings MP Neale Burgess sent earlier this month, Acting Roads Minister Natalie Hutchins confirmed VicRoads was currently developing a “roundabout proposal” to “improve safety” at the intersection of Robinsons Road and the Westernport Highway.
In the meantime, while funding is gathered, Ms Hutchins said VicRoads was considering “interim safety” measures, which could include “movement restrictions” at the intersection.
More than 6500 residents have signed an online petition, launched by Mr Burgess in June, putting pressure on the government for a roundabout at the site after 19-year-old Olivia Steadman-Meconi was killed at the intersection when her car crashed into a Ford Ranger ute just before 6.30pm on 29 May.
Less than two years earlier, in August 2013, a 36-year-old Mornington motorcyclist died at the same intersection after crashing into a car.
Local residents say they have been calling for a roundabout at the site for years, but it was never built.
In 2012, under the Liberal Government, a $1.64m upgrade saw turning lanes, rumble strips, lighting and extra signage built at the intersection.
But resident Maureen Smollen told the News last month it wasn’t enough.
“When work was started on the intersection everyone thought it was going to be a roundabout, but in their wisdom they decided to just put in turning lanes – this has not stopped the accidents,” Ms Smollen said.
Another resident Shannon Smith, who was first on the scene after the fatal crash in May, said he has assisted in accidents at the notorious intersection more than 10 times.
