Lethal Mernda stretch to close if government won’t pay to seal it

An unsealed stretch of road in Mernda on which someone died could be closed to the public, forcing more traffic onto Bridge Inn Rd, if a Whittlesea Council plan is backed.

Masons Rd residents John Dagher, Nick Bozinovski, Tina Marshall, John Baird and Kim Filmer.

Masons Rd could be closed to through traffic, unless Whittlesea Council can secure $12 million from the state or federal governments to seal it.

An independent VicRoads Road Safety Audit of the Mernda thoroughfare found sealing Masons Rd between Epping Rd and Texel Dr could cost $12 million.

Whittlesea Mayor Lawrie Cox said the council would “advocate” to the state and federal governments for the money to construct the council-owned road.

However, the public would also be given a chance to make submissions on a proposal to close the road, which would cost $105,000.

If approved, only residents would have access to the road.

The audit follows a fatal crash on Masons Rd last August in which a man was killed after his van left the road and crashed into a tree.

A police blitz in December revealed 80 per cent of the 850 vehicles that travel on the road each day flouted the 50km/h speed limit.

The report found the road had become a popular alternative to east-west arterials Bridge Inn and Donnybrook roads.

MOST DANGEROUS TIME TO BE ON THE ROAD

MORE THAN 50 ROOS A WEEK KILLED ON WHITTLESEA ROADS

THE MELBOURNE STREET BEING OVERRUN BY KANGAROOS

If approved, the closure of the road to through traffic could take more than 12 months.

About 100 residents vehicles use the road each day, the report found.

Masons Rd resident Tina Marshall said she supported the road being closed to the public.

“That would take the road back to what it was like 20 years ago,” she said.

People have until June 14 to make a submission.