TRAFFIC lights could soon be installed at a dangerous Hoppers Crossing intersection that has been likened to a “death trap”.
Roads Minister Terry Mulder has acknowledged that traffic lights would be an “appropriate measure” to address the crash history and reduce congestion at the intersection of Old Geelong and Forsyth roads.
It follows months of lobbying from Wyndham Council and Labor MPs. But the project still hinges on whether it’s pencilled in for funding in May’s state budget.
Traffic on Old Geelong Road increased from 34,800 vehicles a day in 2007 to 42,700 a day last year, while traffic on Forsyth Road jumped from 9300 vehicles a day in 2008 to 13,300.
In a letter to Mr Mulder last December, mayor Kim McAliney said Old Geelong Road narrowed to provide only one traffic lane, which was choked by surging numbers of vehicles.
“At this level of traffic flow, there are limited gaps,” she said. “Drivers therefore frequently undertake high risks and inappropriate behaviour to turn onto (or) from Old Geelong Road due to the level of delay experienced.”
Between January 2007 and March last year 16 incidents were reported, four of which resulted in injuries, Cr McAliney said.
She said more people were using the intersection to get to housing estates in Truganina, Williams Landing and Hoppers Crossing.
Truganina South Primary School’s assistant principal, Michael Laird, welcomed the acknowledgement that the intersection needed traffic lights.
He said Forsyth Road was the main route into and out of the new school, which has more than doubled its enrolments over the past year.
“Turning right there is Russian roulette, really, you take a breath each time you do it, taking your life in your own hands,” he said.
“Everything that happens with that intersection has a direct impact on our school.
“The way it is at the moment, we’ve got teachers late to school because they can’t get through the traffic and we have big concerns about kids crossing Forsyth [Road] when the traffic is banked up.”
Tarneit MP Tim Pallas said he was pleased Mr Mulder had acknowledged the need for traffic lights and urged the government to include funding in the upcoming budget.
But extra roadworks would be needed at the intersection along with new traffic lights, he said.
