By Christine de Kock
THE Freight Access Action Group has welcomed the State Government’s $1 million commitment to upgrade the intersection of Somerville Rd and Alick Rd, Brooklyn.
The group lobbied the government earlier this year to have signals installed at the intersection to prevent congestion as trucks tried to move from industrial sites in Alick Rd to Somerville Rd.
The Victorian Transport Association (VTA) backed the issue.
VTA deputy chief executive Neil Chambers said there were about 4000 vehicle movements in and out of Alick Rd every day through the intersection.
Mr Chambers said he was “delighted by the announcement”, but said the VTA would continue to lobby for a second exit to Alick Rd.
“We need an alternative route into the industrial precinct,” he said.
Footscray MP Bruce Mildenhall agreed that congestion at the intersection was an issue.
“These works will improve freight efficiency by facilitating the right turn movement out of Alick Rd to enable trucks to access the West Gate Freeway via Somerville Rd and McDonalds Rd,” he said.
