Mount Alexander Rd intersection Essendon: Moonee Valley Council pushes for upgrades after deaths

These Essendon intersections have been called “disgraceful”, “dysfunctional”and the “bermuda triangle of transport”. Now the council wants answers.

An Essendon North intersection at Mount Alexander Rd has been labelled “shocking” after a fatality was seen earlier this month. Picture : George Salpigtidis

Two Essendon intersections have been labelled as “dysfunctional” and “dangerous” after residents lost their lives during tragic events earlier this month.

Moonee Valley City Council will seek an urgent meeting with Roads Minister Melissa Horne and Essendon MP Danny Pearson to seek an “immediate step” to remediate the issues.

Councillors made emotional pleas at Tuesday’s meeting for improvements to be made to the “bermuda triangle of transport” after recent fatalities.

“It’s an issue that hasn’t gone away because nothing has been fixed and in the interim we’ve lost more lives and they’ve been local people as well,” Cr Narelle Sharpe said.

Cr John Sipek criticised the state governments over the years which have not improved the intersections despite constant complaints and advocacy from the council.

Cr Ava Adams added: “We’ve been advocating for improvements here for years.

“The intersection is confusing, dysfunctional and dangerous and it must be improved urgently.”

The vote was carried.

EARLIER

Road safety is top of mind for an inner-north council as it tries to fix a “shocking” intersection which has proved fatal for residents.

The Mount Alexander Rd intersection in Essendon – alongside Keilor, Bulla and Lincoln roads – features a double-lane roundabout combined with tram tracks and pedestrian crossings. A similar roundabout is nearly 200m down the road.

Moonee Valley councillor Ava Adams – alongside Cr Cam Nation and Narelle Sharpe – will urge the council to seek an “urgent meeting” with Roads Minister Melissa Horne and Essendon MP Danny Pearson over the Essendon North intersection.

It comes after the intersection saw two accidents in one day including a fatality. A 99-year-old Essendon woman was crossing Mount Alexander Rd near Lincoln Rd when she was allegedly hit by a tram and died from her injuries.

The tram driver and passengers were not injured.

Another fatality included a 92-year-old Pascoe Vale South man after he was struck by a car on Mt Alexander Rd in 2018. A council traffic management study on the intersection noted 57 crashes were reported there from 2012-2017.

Mt Alexander Road intersection features multiple entries and exits in the two roundabouts. Picture: George Salpigtidis

The Essendon North woman’s death sparked outrage across social media.

“This is horrendously sad news and my thoughts are with everyone involved and the family and friends of the lady who was struck,” Deputy Mayor Samantha Byrne said on Facebook.

“As a council, we have been advocating for improvements to this shocking intersection for a long time and it’s devastating to see another person pass away,” she said.

It has been a longstanding issue for the area after Essendon traders labelled the intersection “chaotic” and raised concerns in 2016 and 2019.

The council will also vote on other road safety motions to address safety concerns at St Martin De Porres Primary School and Mount Alexander Rd.