Frankston traders claim VicRoads privately admitted bungling $13m road redevelopment
It was meant to be the centrepiece of a reborn Frankston, but VicRoads’ costly and controversial redevelopment of Young St has gone badly wrong, the strip’s traders say.
South East
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Works to fix ongoing issues with the controversial redevelopment of Young St will continue amid trader claims VicRoads has admitted it botched the $13 million project.
Several traders told Leader VicRoads officials had privately told them the revamp — completed in late 2017 — had left the road too narrow and it would have to be widened.
A staggering 16 bus services access the narrow strip.
“They have said they are going to try and fix it,” said a trader, who did not want to be identified.
“They have not elaborated — they’re embarrassed.
“It’s dangerous. People keep getting hit by cars (because the road is too narrow).”
Another trader said bus drivers were constantly complaining Young St was not wide enough.
“VicRoads said ‘we are going to be doing some modifications’.”
The roads authority did not deny the allegations or confirm more works were needed when the issue was raised by Leader.
In a statement, VicRoads said: “A total of 16 bus services are now operating from Young St.
“We regularly review the public transport network to identify opportunities to improve services and ensure passengers travel needs are met.”
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But Frankston Councilmayor Michael O’Reilly said bus operators had advised the new traffic lanes were not wide enough for buses to safely swing in and out of when the works were completed.
Cr O’Reilly said this issue was “largely rectified” at the time but the council understood more works would be undertaken to “finalise these adjustments” in September and October.
“Traders are expected to be notified of the planned works closer to the time,” he said. Frankston state Labor MP Paul Edbrooke did not respond to requests for comment.