By Danielle Kutchel
The long-awaited traffic signals at a busy Beaconsfield intersection have been turned on at last.
The lights at Glismann Road and Princes Highway were switched on on the afternoon of Thursday 8 July.
The big moment followed an earlier crash at the site, which occurred during the switch-on process.
Two cars collided at the intersection at around 11.30am.
Ambulance Victoria confirmed that paramedics assessed three people at the scene.
One person was taken to the Alfred Hospital in a stable condition and a second person was taken to Casey Hospital, also in a stable condition.
The third person involved was not taken to hospital.
Two CFA units from Beaconsfield brigade also attended.
Speaking at the scene, First Constable Josh Durdin from Pakenham Police said while more investigations needed to take place, it appeared to be a t-bone collision.
“It looks worse than it is,” he said.
Contractors were preparing to switch on the lights when the accident occurred.
One contractor was thrown from a traffic light pole when one of the cars collided with the light he was working on.
The contractor is understood to be shaken but unharmed.
On 25 May, Star News Group reported that the lights were set to be turned on in June.
At the time, Cardinia Council said it was waiting for final works to be completed by the electricity provider.
Cardinia Council confirmed they completed the civil works for the project on Thursday 8 July.
Due to the intersection being on the Princes Highway, the works become an asset of the State’s Department of Transport (DOT).
DOT directly liaises with the power company (AGL) regarding the activation of the lights.
Following the accident, Gembrook MP Brad Battin hit out at the State Government for the delay in turning on the lights.
‘Another accident due to delays by the Labor Government,” he said.
“We are sick of seeing accidents in Cardina on roads or at intersections due to Labor’s delays or stuff ups. The excuse of the June storms caused a delay from May is spin at its best.”
