Black spot: traders call for two Mt Alexander Rd intersections to be upgraded before they cost lives
Essendon traders say two dangerous Mt Alexander Rd intersections will cost lives unless action is taken to fix the black spots.
North West
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Essendon North traders have called on the state government to fix up two deadly intersections.
The intersection at Mt Alexander, Keilor, Bulla and Lincoln Roads, and the intersection at Mt Alexander Rd, Leake and Glass streets have both had a “significant” number of casualty accidents in the last five years.
Twenty-five accidents were recorded at the first intersection, including one that caused the death of a 92-year-old Pascoe Vale South man after he was struck by a car on Mt Alexander Rd last year. Nine were recorded at the second intersection.
Essendon Traders Association president Mark Errichiello said the two intersections were a “black spot area for safety”.
“In peak hour people panic, they get itchy trying to get through the traffic and drive through sections they shouldn’t and just ignore safety laws,” he said.
The roundabout at the intersection of Mt Alexander, Keilor, Bulla and Lincoln roads has two sets of tram tracks, two slip lanes and six lanes of traffic travelling at 60km/h.
The second is located just up the street.
Mr Errichiello said the biggest issues were the lack of signage, the need for a traffic light system and that pedestrian zebra crossings needed to be replaced with push button crossings.
“Part of the confusion is that people don’t even know what rule they’re following,” he said.
“Some are looking at traffic lights, some at give way signs, some at the tram signs.
“People basically fail to stop at the pedestrian crossings.”
He said he saw small collisions on a weekly basis at the intersections, and that without change, there would be chaos.
“There would definitely be more fatalities or serious injuries,” Mr Errichiello said.
“The population is increasing and development is increasing, it’s good for local hospitality but very grim for safety, congestion and stress.”
Mr Errichiello himself has been rear-ended at a pedestrian crossing on Mt Alexander Rd.
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A council report on the two intersections has recommended installing a full traffic signal control at the Mount Alexander Road, Keilor Road, Bulla Road and Lincoln Road intersection.
It also states the existing crossing facilities at the Mount Alexander Road, Leake Street and Glass Street Intersection are performing poorly, and recommends they be upgraded to pedestrian-operated signals.
Moonee Valley Mayor Samantha Byrne said the council would continue to work with VicRoads to prepare a funding submission for safety improvements to the two intersections.
VicRoads was contacted for comment but did not respond by the deadline.