By Aneeka Simonis
A DANGEROUS major intersection in Pakenham will be upgraded next year.
Crash data at the Princes Highway-McGregor Road intersection shows there have been 15 recorded casualty crashes where people required medical attention in the five-year period ending in June 2015.
Most crashes occur when vehicles turn right from either McGregor Road or The Avenue.
VicRoads Regional director Aidan McGann said $681,000 in funding had been allocated to remodel the intersection traffic lights to enable right turning traffic from McGregor Road and The Avenue to turn more safely.
“Ten of these crashes involved vehicles making a right turn from McGregor Road or The Avenue, with five of these crashes resulting in serious injuries,” Mr McGann said.
“The intersection will also be upgraded to assist people with disabilities to cross the intersection on foot more safely.”
The safety upgrade will be funded as part of the Victorian Government’s Safe System Road Infrastructure Program funded by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).
Mr McGann said it was an important part of the Towards Zero road safety vision – which was to have a 15 per cent reduction in serious injuries and less than 200 deaths on Victorian roads by 2020.
“Serious injuries are the hidden road toll and this project will address the past history at this intersection,” Mr McGann said.
VicRoads will deliver the project in the first half of 2017.
