Tuesday, 15 October 2019

In reply to  Mr ONDARCHIE (Northern Metropolitan) (28 August 2019)

Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Roads, Minister for Road Safety and the TAC, Minister for Fishing and Boating):

Balancing the needs for people moving around the Gaffney Street, Cumberland Road and Boundary Road area in Pascoe Vale is challenging and people can experience traffic congestion during peak periods.

For example, there are at least six schools in the area and the Department of Transport (DoT) needs to ensure that the road network operates in a way that maximises the safe movement of our most vulnerable road users, while also ensuring other modes, including the numerous buses, and other motorists can also get where they need to go.

To manage these competing demands, particularly noting it is in an established road network, traffic lights help to prioritise and control the movements.

DoT advises me that it has reviewed the operation of traffic lights in the area, particularly at the intersections of Cumberland Road/Gaffney Street, Gaffney Street/Derby Street, and Cumberland Road/Boundary Road. This review found that changing the way the traffic lights operate would create further congestion or safety problems and therefore no changes will be implemented at this time.

Regarding the upgrade project at the intersection of Gaffney Street and Sussex Street where the roundabout will be replaced with traffic lights to help people move through the intersection, DoT further advises me that pre-construction works (such as land survey and other planning activities) have commenced. Next steps include detailed design, stakeholder engagement, land acquisition and utility service relocation.

As there is a significant number of utility services that will require relocation, and multiple land parcels needing to be acquired to facilitate the upgrade, it is anticipated that the pre-construction activities will be completed by the end of 2020. DoT aims to advertise the construction contract in early 2021, with construction to commence in late 2021 and completed by mid-2022. DoT will continue to work closely with stakeholders and keep exploring opportunities to achieve an earlier completion.