Junction safety upgrade

STUD Road in Dandenong will receive $947,000 in safety upgrades early next year.
South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Gordon Rich-Phillips said the cash would address a history of crashes at the King Street and Herbert Street intersections.
“In the five years to the end of last year there were 17 casualty crashes at these two locations – six of which resulted in serious injuries,” he said.
“At the nearby Herbert Street pedestrian-operated signals there have been an additional four crashes, including one fatality.
“Traffic lights at the intersection of Stud Road and Herbert Street will aim to reduce the incidence and severity of crashes at the location.”
Mr Rich-Phillips said the project would include installing a partially-controlled right turn from Stud Road and widening Herbert Street on the east approach, to accommodate a left turn lane.
Traffic islands will be installed and several movements will be banned, including a right turn into Stud Road and travelling across Stud Road along King Street.
Mr Rich-Phillips said one of the main issues at the location was drivers trying to turn into Stud Road being unable to get a safe break in traffic.
“The signals will not only address this important safety issue – that was the cause of the majority of crashes – but pedestrians will also benefit,” he said.
“The nearby pedestrian signals will be removed and pedestrians will be able to cross at the intersection, which is a much safer alternative.”
Work on the project is expected to start in February and be finished by mid-next year.