By Jessica Anstice
A Beaconsfield Upper road is causing concern for drivers after council sealed the road but failed to make it wide enough for vehicles to pass one another.
Previously a gravel road and wide enough for vehicles to pass, Berglund Road is known for its steep hills and sharp bends.
Resident Lisa Hannon described the road as dangerous and a major safety issue.
“Because the hill is so steep you can’t see if a vehicle is coming from the other direction and no one knows who is supposed to give way,” she said.
“There’s consistent traffic going up and down the road and about 30 percent of the time you’ll meet someone at the top of the hill or on the sharp bend.
“Most of the road is two lanes wide or there’s room on the side to move across, but this section of the road is where two lanes are necessary.”
She fears it won’t be long before there is serious accident on the road.
“I’m terrified for my 20-year-old daughter driving on the road on Thursday mornings with a fear of the rubbish truck coming up the hill,” she added.
“You can’t reverse back up the hill because it’s too steep and to expect someone to reverse down the hill is not safe either.
“When you can’t see, it needs to be the width of two cars to be able to go past.”
Cardinia Shire Council’s assets and services acting general manager Debbie Tyson said council’s asset management system identified the sealed section of Berglund Road as a high priority for rehabilitation.
“During the scoping stage of the rehabilitation project, it was identified the adjacent unsealed sections of the road included problematic steep sections and corners, which were also causing maintenance problems,” Ms Tyson said.
Through investigations with the contractor and geotechnical consultant, council identified the possibility to capitalise on reusing the existing pavement.
“This would enable council to extend the sealed section of road; reducing maintenance costs and improving safety and comfort for road users,” she said.
“To ensure sufficient safe passing opportunities for the low volumes of traffic using the road, the existing road width on the previously unsealed section of the road has been maintained, and three additional informal passing areas are currently being constructed.
“No change was made to the width of the existing section of sealed road; however, the new seal gives the perception of a narrower pavement.”
The road is unsigned, therefore under the Victorian road rules, the road is a default 100km/h limit. “Although this is standard practise throughout Victoria, motorists are encouraged to always drive according to the conditions of the road,” Ms Tyson said.
