Turning lanes for safety

Debbie Hall, John Mann and Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan discuss the traffic problems along Ernst Wanke Road. 101098 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

By LIA SPENCER

RIGHT turning lanes will be installed at intersections along Ernst Wanke Road to improve safety for drivers.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan called for road measures such as turning lanes to be installed along Ernst Wanke Road to relieve congestion for residents who live in Berwick, north of the thoroughfare.
City of Casey acting manager transport Vincent Fernando said the current volumes of traffic along Ernst Wanke Road were below the level that would typically trigger duplication and it was not proposed to duplicate Ernst Wanke Road at this time.
He said council would however install right turning lanes at intersections along Ernst Wanke Road to improve safety; with works currently underway at Amber Crescent and Montbrae Circuit.
Additional locations have also been identified for future funding consideration.
Mr Donnellan said residents from multiple streets north of Ernst Wanke Road had complained about the increase in traffic and the difficulty in turning in and out of their streets and that some residents were concerned by both the increased danger and the hold up of traffic at peak times when turning into their residential streets.
Mr Donnellan said that at the time of the Hallam Bypass being constructed, Casey Council made a commitment to duplicate Ernst Wanke Road but had failed to do so for a decade.
However, Casey Council’s Transport Advocacy Campaign is advocating to the State Government to provide funding as a priority for the duplication of the State Government-managed Narre Warren North Road, from Ernst Wanke Road to Heatherton Road.
A council surveys show that the traffic volumes along this road are significantly higher than the volumes along Ernst Wanke Road.