By NATALIE GALLENTI-BREKALO
THE long awaited Ferris Road lights were switched on last week completing a major road project well ahead of schedule.
Melton Mayor Bob Turner joined Minister for Planning Matthew Guy last Tuesday to turn on the traffic lights at the Western Freeway and Ferris Rd interchange.
Mr Guy said the completed project would ensure the interchange operated more efficiently in the future.
“Ferris Road carries 21,000 vehicles per day and is one of Melton’s most important roads as it links the Western Freeway, the Melton Highway and Gisborne-Melton Road,” Mr Guy said.
“This project has been completed in response to congestion at Ferris Road, resulting in large volumes of westbound vehicles queuing on and exiting the Western Freeway during weekday afternoons, causing delays and traffic issues.”
Mr Guy said these safety problems have now been resolved with the installation of traffic lights and an extra right turn lane on the exit ramp which allows additional vehicle capacity and reduces the potential for accidents.
Cr Turner said the community had been advocating for improvements at the intersection for years.
“Our community has been very outspoken about this issue and council continued to push the State Government to improve road safety at this major intersection that had been seeing a lot of congestion,” Cr Turner said.
“We will continue to advocate on behalf of our residents for much needed transport, health and education infrastructure for our fast growing community.”
Further works associated with the intersection improvements include asphalt resurfacing and line marking. The left turn lane on the exit ramp remains unchanged.
