Craigieburn Road duplication design upsets motorists

Motorists fear Craigieburn Rd will become even more congested if a controversial feature of the upgrade plans is given the green light.

Concerned motorists have hit out at a proposal to install seven new traffic lights along Craigieburn Rd under a new design suggested by the State Government.

The major upgrades form part of the State Government’s $4 billion makeover of 21 main roads across Melbourne’s outer west, north and south- eastern suburbs.

The biggest benefit to Hume commuters will be the construction of an extra lane in both directions along Craigieburn Rd between Mickleham Rd and the Hume Hwy.

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However, a controversial feature of the proposed design, released by the Major Road Projects Authority in December last year, includes seven additional traffic lights, meaning motorists will have to drive through 12 sets in total over a 5.5km stretch if the design is adopted.

Major Road Projects Victoria’s suburban roads upgrade director Peter Jones said the “crucial upgrade” would “slash congestion, improve traffic flow and … (make) Craigieburn Rd safer for all road users”.

An early design concept of Craigieburn Rd under the State Government’s Northern Roads Upgrade package. Image: Major Road Projects Victoria (roadprojects.vic.gov.au).

Since 2013, there have been 17 serious injury crashes and three fatal crashes along this section of Craigieburn Rd. One of the proposed traffic lights would allow for a pedestrian crossing near DS Aitken Reserve to enable pedestrians to safely access facilities such as the Craigieburn Sports Stadium.

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However, some local motorists have slammed the number of additional traffic lights on social media, arguing 12 was too excessive.

Jean Beriki labelled the idea “ridiculous”, while Andrew Cini argued the new lights would create even more congestion.

Craigieburn Rd, Craigieburn.

Online public consultation about the proposed design of Craigieburn Rd officially closed on Sunday and a final design is expected to be developed later this year.

In addition to the extra two lanes and seven new traffic lights, the design also outlines plans to build safety barriers and a cycling and walking path. Construction work on Craigieburn Rd is due to start in 2020.

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