State government moves to remediate scene of ‘multiple crashes’
Victorian government is to upgrade the City Road and Power Street intersection in Southbank, to improve safety for pedestrians and drivers.
The plan has met with Victorian Transport Association (VTA) endorsement for a Melbourne intersection it described as “notorious”.
“An extensive investigation and design process for the complex site has been finalised and a $3.8 million upgrade will be carried out that will see the footpath widened, a pedestrian crossing moved away from the busy corner and the shifting of all lanes on City Road at the intersection,” the Victorian transport department states.
“These measures will create more space between pedestrians and road users.
“Designs for the intersection show that a traffic island will be removed, and the crossing at Power Street shifted away from the corner, where multiple crashes have occurred this year, making it safer for pedestrians waiting to cross.”
Read of the VTA’s call for caution at the intersection, here
The VTA noted that this would benefit large volumes of freight traffic that are unable to use the CityLink tunnels.
Under the plans, all lanes on City Road will be shifted north, and the stop line for westbound traffic pushed back, creating more room for vehicles to turn and to allow for the widening of the footpath. An automated pedestrian crossing and sensors to trigger changes to traffic lights will remain in place to provide additional time for pedestrians to cross.
The department noted that engineers and road safety specialists have been working on this site since May, taking into consideration traffic modelling, available road and pedestrian space, heritage-listed property, safety audits and underground utilities to develop these permanent safety measures.
Some short-term improvements have already been made at the site, including installing concrete blocks, plastic bollards and planter boxes, signs and markings warning of turning trucks, the automated pedestrian crossing, and sensors to minimise waiting periods for pedestrians.
“We’ve been working closely with Department of Transport throughout the design phase and this is a great possible outcome for pedestrians and road users,” VTA CEO Peter Anderson said.
“This road and intersection are a key link for heavy vehicles, particularly those prohibited from using the CityLink tunnels, and these improvements will make it so much easier for truck drivers to navigate the route.”