Sunbury’s Gap Rd and Horne St roundabout to be replaced by traffic signals

THE death knell has been sounded on Sunbury’s notorious Horne St and Gap Rd roundabout.

McEwen Federal MP Rob Mitchell, Sunbury State Labor MP Josh Bull, Vince Punaro from VicRoads and State Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan at this morning’s announcement on the Sunbury roundabout. Picture: Dennis Manktelow

THE death knell has been sounded on Sunbury’s notorious Horne St and Gap Rd roundabout.

State Sunbury Labor MP Josh Bull this morning announced $6.4 million in funding to convert the existing roundabout to a fully signalised intersection.

Mr Bull said the upgrade would include dedicated turning lanes from all directions, signalised pedestrian crossings and bicycle lanes on all approaches.

Footpaths surrounding the roundabout will also be connected to the new intersection.

“I’ve listened to the concerns of the local community and I’ve fought hard to get this upgrade. We’re taking action to fix it,” Mr Bull said.

Sunbury residents, advocates and business owners have long called for a solution to the intersection, which previously had traffic lights.

The intersection has consistently been identified by Sunbury Leader readers in RACV Red Spot surveys as one of Melbourne’s worst. In 2014, it was listed the eighth worst in the state.

About 21,500 vehicles travel on Horne St and 18,000 on Gap Rd each day, and the intersection connects drivers to Riddell Rd, Sunbury Rd and the Calder Freeway.

Those numbers, combined with boomgates at a level crossing about 150m east of the intersection closing several times each day, result in major traffic jams, especially during school and work peak times.

Sunbury Residents’ Association president Bernie O’Farrell said it was an issue they had been advocating on for some time.

“There’s no doubt that in terms of the general public they would think it’s long overdue,” he said.

“We’ve been campaigning for at least six or seven years for that intersection.”

Mr O’Farrell said there was “no question, it will be safer”.

RELATED: State Government announces study into roundabout

RELATED:Sunbury rounadabout makes traffic hotspot list

“At the moment you’ve got to concentrate very hard to be able to get through the intersection to avoid the risk of accident,” he said.

Hume Mayor Helen Patsikatheodorou said it was a super day for Sunbury.

“Hume City Council has advocated to the Victorian Government about this dangerous roundabout for many years,” Cr Patsikatheodorou said.

“We are excited that the Victorian Government will spend $6.4 million to improve the intersection, because it has witnessed seven casualty crashes in the most recent five-year period on record.

“Every resident of Sunbury will benefit from today’s announcement, and I can’t wait to see the traffic lights constructed.”

Sunbury-based councillor Jack Medcraft said he was glad to see results following years of lobbying.

“If they signal properly and they line up with the lights at the railway ... then that’ll solve a big problem of congestion,” he said.

“My only reservation with putting them in is the lunatic that does decide to try and run the red light.

“I’m happy with the result but ... I will be making sure they keep to their commitments and they make sure they do it before 2018, because that’s not acceptable.”

Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan at the notorious roundabout this morning. Picture: Dennis Manktelow

State Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan, who was also at the announcement, said the funding was a huge win for Sunbury.

“The new traffic lights will reduce queuing at the intersection and allow locals to get where they need to go safely and quickly,” Mr Donnellan said.

Mr Bull’s office did not confirm when works would start, except to say that planning and consultation would begin immediately, with construction to follow.

They could not give a timeframe on the process.

Works on the project are expected to be completed by mid-2018.