Thursday, 20 February 2020

Greensborough Highway–Grimshaw Street, Greensborough

Ms GREEN (Yan Yean) (17:22): (1925) It is marvellous to see you, Speaker, in the chair, because my adjournment matter tonight is to the Minister for Roads and Minister for Road Safety and the TAC in the other place, and the action I seek is for the minister to have VicRoads investigate ways to reduce north–south congestion on the Greensborough Highway in the vicinity of Grimshaw Street. This location is of course in the neighbouring electorate of Bundoora, your electorate, Speaker; however, many of the vehicles stuck in the congestion are from the electorates of Yan Yean and Eltham—sometimes even the members for Eltham and Yan Yean themselves.

It is of course well known that the Andrews Labor government is moving ahead on Victoria’s largest ever road-building project, the North East Link, along with the next stage of the M80 upgrade, the Yan Yean Road stages 1 and 2, Plenty Road stages 1 and 2 and the northern roads package. But this of course does not mean that we as local members cannot suggest low-cost options during Victoria’s Big Build to alleviate congestion and improve travel times.

As you well know, Speaker, on Greensborough Highway heading north there are five lanes of traffic, with one being a dedicated left-turn lane, two dedicated to through traffic and the remaining two being dedicated right-turn lanes east onto Grimshaw Street. The through traffic lanes bank back several kilometres, which not only delays this traffic but also impedes drivers wishing to turn right or left, with vehicles being stuck there as well. I understand that this is causing rat runs along Watsonia Road—the Watsonia Bugle, I think, is very upset and worried about it—reducing the amenity of this popular shopping strip and impeding egress and access for Watsonia station commuters. There is of course a similar situation heading south in the morning peak.

The North East Link project of course will eradicate this snarly intersection as it includes a complete grade separation, with Grimshaw Street continuing uninterrupted on a span over what is now the Greensborough Highway. I am sure that local vehicle commuters would welcome VicRoads’ examination of the intersection, especially to see if an increase from two to three lanes of through traffic would have a positive impact on congestion and assist people to get to where they need to go faster.

The SPEAKER: There is a rumour the clerks get stuck at the intersection as well.