By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
VICROADS has confirmed safety improvements will be made to the intersection of Robinsons Road and Western Port Highway in the interim period of up to two years before construction of a roundabout.
The notorious death trap which took the life of 19-year-old Olivia Steadman-Meconi in June this year has been a long-term concern for Pearcedale residents.
Parents have even banned their teenage drivers from using the junction.
After numerous talks with Hastings Liberal MP Neale Burgess, who started a petition for a roundabout to be built, Roads Minister Luke Donnellan VicRoads decided on the interim measures last month.
VicRoads Metro South East Regional Director Aidan McGann said VicRoads holds the same safety concerns as those people who attended the August safety forum.
“A major concern is the safety of the intersection during the interim period prior to the construction of the roundabout.
“After considering all the feedback received at the community forum, and also the comments received from the broader community via social media, we are proposing to undertake a number of interim safety improvements,” Mr McGann explained.
The crossing will be altered to stop traffic driving across Western Port Highway from Robinsons Road or turning right from Robinsons Road onto Western Port Highway which will apply to both directions of Robinsons Road.
Signs warning drivers of the new rules will be mounted in advance of Robinsons Road at Pearcedale Road and Warrandyte Road.
A lack of driver awareness in particular fog which locals expressed as a concern at the meeting will also be addressed with higher visibility design features.
VicRoads stated in a media release:
“There will also be turning movement restrictions at Victoria Road to prevent this becoming an accident prone intersection.
Drivers will only be able to turn left into this road from Western Port Highway, or turn left out of this road.
Drivers will be alerted to these restrictions by the placement of appropriate signage and the use of double barrier centre lines painted on the road surface of the Western Port Highway at the Victoria Road intersection.”
After calls for a speed reduction from locals Mr McGann said VicRoads believes the interim safety improvements will refute the need for a speed reduction, adding that there will be temporary speed limit reductions while the safety improvements are being undertaken.
VicRoads also stated that they will be monitoring the safety of the intersection over the interim period prior to the construction of the roundabout.
