By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
AN INFAMOUS Doveton intersection which has seen more than 10 traffic collisions since 2008 is set to receive more than $100,000 from the State Government for safety upgrades.
On Tuesday Assistant Treasurer Gordon Rich-Phillips announced the $105,000 investment to improve the treacherous Heatherton Road and Monash Freeway intersection as part of the government’s Safer Road Infrastructure Program (SRIP).
“Works at the site will include improved lighting, line marking and signage and the installation of a traffic signal mast arm which will allow traffic signal lanterns to be located directly above the traffic lanes, improving visibility for drivers,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.
“In the five years to December 2012, there were 11 collisions at this location including three serious injury crashes.
“Four of these collisions occurred due to cars turning right from Heatherton Road onto the Monash Freeway, so this project will help to address this.”
The money allocated for the Doveton upgrades forms part of the $17.7 million in SRIP funding announced by the government last week for 26 similarly treacherous sites across the state.
Among the locations confirmed for the SRIP funding are Williams Landing, Seaford, Balwyn, Caulfield South, Nunawading, Mount Waverley, Ashburton, Coolaroo and Doveton.
Roads Minister Terry Mulder said SRIP funding was used for road improvements as well as repairs to roadsides and nearby infrastructure to reduce the risk of “run-off road” crashes at intersections.
“Projects are chosen based on an assessment of crash statistics to determine the type of crashes occurring at a particular location and then using that information to develop treatments that will help prevent further incidents,” Mr Mulder said.
“Projects are designed to provide extra protection for pedestrians or cyclists or to install measures like signal controlled right turning lanes which can reduce the risk at some intersections.”
