By CASEY NEILL
A DANDENONG South road closure is reigniting calls for an overpass amid fears it will overload surrounding streets.
VicRoads is closing Bayliss Road at the Western Port Highway after deeming the intersection’s operation “not satisfactory due to the increasing volume of heavy vehicles now using this intersection”.
“These vehicles create potential safety risks as they cross or enter the highway,” a City of Greater Dandenong report on the issue said.
Industrial packaging waste recycler Waste Converters is on Bayliss Road.
Managing director Ward Petherbridge said it had been closed for several weeks, except for traffic entering and exiting his site.
“Our transport costs have increased since the closure,” he said.
“Our vehicles and customers are now having to access the site exclusively via Western Port Highway.
“Accessing Western Port Highway in peak hour traffic from Dandenong involves using Abbotts Road and the South Gippsland Highway, which are already overburdened.”
Mr Petherbridge said the main problem with many Dandenong South roads was that they were not coping with the growing traffic volumes.
“Abbotts Road in particular needs urgent upgrading and I would strongly encourage the construction of an overpass linking Remington Drive directly with Pound Road and the freeway,” he said.
“Traffic lights would also be highly recommended for traffic entering Western Port Highway from the South Gippsland Highway as this intersection is becoming diabolical.
“This would really assist with the overall traffic flow through the Dandenong South precinct.”
Councillor John Kelly said he was “amazed that they’re going to be putting more pressure onto Abbotts Road”.
“As a council we need to lobby for the bridge over Remington Drive,” he said.
“It’s so imperative.
“Putting all this traffic onto Abbotts Road is just ridiculous. It’s putting a lot of pressure onto our local road network.”
Closing Bayliss Road was part of the Dandenong South Industrial Area Extension Structure Plan, which has strong support from Mr Petherbridge.
“This area will become a vibrant precinct in conjunction with the development of the Port of Hastings,” he said.
“I am a strong supporter of the both the Inland Port and the Port of Hastings, both of which will shape the Dandenong South Industrial Precinct in the coming years.
“These projects will bring economic growth and jobs to Dandenong South.”
