Latrobe City Council is undertaking road safety upgrade projects in central business districts until June 2021.
These road safety improvements in Moe, Morwell and Traralgon will benefit the community in the long-term by reducing the risk of injury to pedestrians from collisions with motor vehicles, but may cause minor inconvenience for now.
The sites of the roadworks were chosen due to having a history of collisions between vehicles and pedestrians, and between vehicles.
Latrobe City Council Mayor, Cr Sharon Gibson said Council wants to ensure the safety of road users and entice people to shop in the central business districts by making them as safe as possible.
“We are caring for our pedestrians, motorists and people who use prams, wheelie walkers and mobility scooters, and those who are visually impaired,” she said.
“The first significant benefits will flow from a consistent 40 km/h speed limit in the activity centres of our major townships.
“This will calm the traffic and allow more time for vulnerable road users to cross at busy pedestrian crossing points.”
In Moe, Council will undertake:
- Safety improvements for pedestrians at the roundabout at the intersection of Albert Street and Moore Street
- Pedestrian crossing improvements in Albert Street
- Kerb outstands in Kirk Street.
In Moe CBD, there has been one pedestrian fatality in five years and approximately one pedestrian is injured each year.
In Morwell, the works will be:
- Construction of two raised safety platforms on Buckley Street
- Safety improvements for pedestrians at the roundabout at the intersection of Buckley and Church streets
- Building a kerb outstand on Hoyle Street.
In Morwell’s CBD, up to two pedestrians are injured each year.
The Traralgon works include:
- Construction of a wombat crossing (a raised zebra crossing) on Kay Street
- Raised safety platforms on Franklin Street and Church Street
- Work in the median on Breed Street
- Upgrading the existing zebra crossing in Grey Street (at approximately numbers 22-24) to a wombat crossing
- Kerb outstands on Franklin Street and Church Street.
In Traralgon’s CBD, there has been one pedestrian fatality in five years, and up to three pedestrians are injured each year.
The roadworks will affect pedestrian and traffic movements, and some parking bays. Full road closures are not expected.
The works are funded by the Safe Travel in Local Streets initiative to reduce road trauma on urban roads.