By Cameron Weston
WORK to install traffic lights at a notorious Point Cook intersection could be expedited after Hobsons Bay City Council and Wyndham City Council agreed to collectively lobby the State Government for funding.
Hobsons Bay councillor Leigh Hardinge, who endorsed the council plan, described the intersection of Point Cook and Dunnings roads as a “death trap” in its current state without traffic lights.
Both councils have allocated funding for the project, and are seeking up to $750,000 from VicRoads.
However, VicRoads had not allocated funding in its 2006/2007 budget for “detailed design or construction work”, according to a report presented to Hobsons Bay council.
VicRoads Metro North West Regional Manager Rob Freemantle could not say when funding might be available, saying only that the proposal would be “submitted for consideration by the Government for funding in a future program”.
Phillip McDonald, director of works and assets in Hobsons Bay, said it was vital that the traffic signals were installed as soon as possible.
“This plan is all about accelerating the project by doing the design work now and pushing things forward so VicRoads can come along, do the road work, and put the signals in.”
Mr McDonald said major changes to the road system north of the intersection, including a new interchange at the West Gate Freeway, would increase the traffic flow into the intersection, making it even more dangerous.
“It’s going to become a potential blackspot unless signals are put in there.”
He said signals should have been put at the intersection as part of the original plan for the road project.
Representatives from both councils and members of the Point Cook Residents’ Association also met with Altona MPLynne Kosky to discuss the problem.
The total cost of the project could range from $1.3 million to $3-4 million, according to Hobsons Bay council documents.
