$20m safety upgrades outlined for notorious Melbourne-Lancefield Rd

MORE passing lanes, safety barriers, a roundabout and intersection upgrades could be part of the Melbourne-Lancefield Rd upgrade.

The notoious Melbourne-Lancefield Rd is to undergo $20m of safety works. Picture: Kylie Else

MORE passing lanes, road safety barriers, a new roundabout and intersection upgrades could all be part of the $20 million upgrade for Melbourne-Lancefield Rd.

A joint announcement by Sunbury State Labor MP Josh Bull and his Macedon counterpart Mary-Anne Thomas at the road last Wednesday confirmed the spending as reported by the Leaderon May 9.

The MPs identified the possibility of up to seven new passing lanes, a roundabout at Gisborne-Kilmore Rd, Monegeetta and intersection upgrades at turn-offs for Darraweit Guim and Clarkefield.

There are also set to be 18km of flexible road safety barriers and safety strips to help reduce the risk of head-on collisions and road run-offs.

RELATED: ‘It’s going to be a safer road’

RELATED: New lanes for Melbourne-Lancefield Rd

COMMENT: What do you think of the upgardes? Comment below

The funding comes as one of 20 priority projects in the State Government’s Towards Zero Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan.

“One death on our roads is one death too many — that’s why we are working closely with the community to make this road safer and reduce the risk of crashes,” Ms Thomas said.

Mr Bull described Melbourne-Lancefield Rd, which has had 159 crashes over the past five years including five fatalities, as one of the most dangerous in the state.

“Local knowledge and feedback is an important part of planning for this project and we’re listening to the community,” he said.

Macedon Ranges Highway Patrol’s Sergeant Brad Hill said the Melbourne-Lancefield Rd was monitored daily such is its reputation.

“We spend a substantial amount of time on this road and we put this time to reducing road trauma,” he said.

“Enforcement is part of the approach but safer roads infrastructure will ultimately enhance our efforts.”

Monegeetta resident Rod Frost was happy with the installation of a roundabout at his town.

“For 20 years there have been problems with people misjudging the corner (Gisborne-Kilmore Rd) as it merges onto Melbourne-Lancefield Rd and you also often see those vehicles misjudging the distances between vehicles and running into trouble,” he said.

“You hear the screech of tyres and brakes daily here.”

Mr Frost said the introduction of two passing lanes about five years ago had helped safety and the extra seven proposed would further sure to improve conditions.

Melbourne-Lancefield Rd carries increasing commuter traffic from growing areas such as Romsey and Lancefield as well as freight, horse floats and tractors.

Last Tuesday the road was closed at Bolinda for several hours around the afternoon commute after a near head-on collision which injured five people.

Work will begin later in the year and take 12 months to complete, with community input invited at [e-mail]