Major changes on Hoddle St as new P-turn road rules introduced at busy intersection

Confusing new rules for moving around Hoddle St come into effect when Victoria’s first continuous flow intersection goes live over the weekend. Here’s what you will and won’t be able to do, with a particular warning for anyone relying on GPS navigation.

Road authorities are bracing for chaos along inner-city arterials on Sunday morning when confusing new rules for moving around Hoddle St come into effect.

Victoria’s first continuous flow intersection will go live over the weekend and traffic controllers will be out in force as thousands of drivers adjust to the changes.

Cars will no longer be able to turn right into Swan St and Punt Rd and will instead to be directed to go past the busy intersection and turn around by performing a P-Turn.

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But southbound motorists turning right onto Olympic Boulevard will have a smoother ride travelling along dedicated slip lanes to separate them from other traffic.

It comes as thousands of additional people flock to the city for the Australian Grand Prix, with the changes to be introduced from 2am Sunday.

Anyone relying on GPS navigation has been warned that apps will take weeks or months to update to the new rules while temporary blue and pink line markings will also be used to show motorists the way.

P-Turns have already been in place at Johnson St off Hoddle St. Picture: David Crosling

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said drivers should avoid the intersection on Saturday night while crews make finishing touches to the project.

“This is a big change for motorists, particularly those who use this intersection every single day,” she said.

“We’ve made these changes at one of Melbourne’s busiest intersections to give drivers on Punt Rd and Hoddle St more go time at green lights.

Ms Allan said it was possible the system could be rolled out to others part of the city if it was successful.

“Every intersection has different traffic needs and different traffic outcomes and we’ll look at whether this can be applied into the future on a case-by-case basis,” she said.

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A render of the new continuous flow intersection lanes and left turn lanes looking west down Olympic Boulevard. Picture: Supplied

The new intersection is the centrepiece of the $110 million Streamlining Hoddle Street project designed to stop gridlock along Melbourne’s bottleneck.

It has been designed to prevent right-turning traffic from banking up at lights and slowing down the movement of other cars.

Opposition transport spokesman David Davis said many people still didn’t understand how the new road rules would work.

“I don’t think the community understands how this mechanism is going to work,” he said.

“Some of that (construction work) is just a patch for the fact they tore up the East West contract and Hoddle St consequently is a traffic sewer.”

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