A Tarneit resident has branded the new Sneydes Road interchange a traffic hazard after dark, with street lights yet to be turned on months after the project was completed.
Alan Riches said he first became aware of the problem in late September when he was driving from his daughter’s Point Cook home to his Tarneit property. He said he struggled to see where he was driving.
“It was pouring rain, pitch black, and coming up over the bridge on Sneydes Road heading towards Werribee, there were oncoming cars – some of them had their headlights on high-beam – and, with the reflection … I nearly ran off the road,” he said.
“I got a terrible shock.”
Mr Riches said he reported the matter to VicRoads, Powercor and Werribee MP Tim Pallas’ office, but had yet to get an answer as to when the lights will be switched on.
“The infrastructure is there, but the lights are not switched on. It’s pitch black until you reach the intersection where Sneydes Road meets the Princes Highway.”
Stage one of the $71 million Sneydes Road interchange works – which included Melbourne-bound lanes to the Princes Freeway and the new Sneydes Road bridge – opened last May.
Stage two – which included Geelong-bound ramps, new traffic lights at the Sneydes Road and Hoppers Lane intersection, and a wider intersection with extra turning lanes – opened at the end of October.
A Powercor spokeswoman said responsibility for turning the lights on rests with Downer EDI, which is working through “some specifications” to do with the street lights.
“Powercor and Downer EDI are working through that now, as quickly as they can. As soon as that’s resolved, then Downer EDI can lodge the request to connect, and then we’ll work to get those lights connected.”
She could not say how long this will take.
