Point Cook motorists can expect a smoother run after two of the suburb’s busiest roads received multi-million dollar upgrades.
From today, Palmers Road has a dedicated transit lane for buses, taxis and multi-occupancy vehicles between Dunnings Road and Skeleton Creek.
Traffic lights at the Palmers and Dunnings roads intersection will be adjusted to give priority to buses, and there will be three bus stops, with indented bays, along Palmers Road.
Meanwhile, walkers and cyclists will benefit from improved street lighting and a shared user path along the length of Palmers Road that will connect with the Princes Freeway overpass and Williams Landing train station.
Altona MP Jill Hennessy said the $6.7 million project, which was jointly funded by the state government and Wyndham council, will cut travel times along Palmers Road by between eight and 27 minutes, depending on the time of day.
Meanwhile, Point Cook’s Forsyth Road exit ramp has been widened from one to two lanes, and the left turn lane into Boardwalk Boulevard has been extended by 200 metres, in a $2.9 million revamp.
More than 18,000 drivers use the Forsyth Road exit ramp every day to travel to Point Cook and Hoppers Crossing, with traffic often snaking all the way down onto the Princes Freeway, especially during the afternoon peak, and causing traffic hazards.
Ms Hennessy said in the past five years, there had been six recorded crashes at the exit ramp.
“Delays on the Forsyth Road exit ramp are frustrating and dangerous,” she said.
“Widening the exit ramp to two lanes will improve traffic flow, reduce the risk of rear-end crashes and allow people to get home to their families sooner and safer.”
