Tuesday, 17 May, 2016

The Andrews Labor Government has announced that road works will this week begin to reduce delays and improve traffic flow at a busy Maroondah Highway intersection in Ringwood.

The Maroondah Highway/Oban Road/Old Lilydale Road intersection will receive a $1.3 million upgrade to fix congestion for the 5,000 motorists that travel through it each hour in peak periods.

Known by local road users as a congestion hotspot, more turn lanes will be added to get traffic moving during the morning and afternoon peaks.

Currently delays caused by the bottleneck at this intersection can result in traffic banking up through other intersections along Maroondah Highway.

A second right turn lane inbound on the Maroondah Highway will be built to carry more traffic into Oban Road, while dedicated right turn lanes will be constructed on Old Lilydale Road and Oban Road for road users entering Maroondah Highway.

Road users will also have dedicated through lanes on Old Lilydale Road and Oban Road once the works are completed by the end of September this year.

Along with these additional lanes, the traffic lights will be adjusted to improve traffic flow during peak periods which will reduce the queue length and delays of both inbound and outbound traffic.

The intersection also has a poor safety record, with nine crashes recorded in the five year period.

Over the next five months, motorists are being warned of changed traffic conditions including reduced speed limits and lane closures for the protection of road workers and the travelling public while the works are carried out.

Quotes attributable to the Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region Shaun Leane

“We’re fixing this intersection which has long been a frustration for motorists going to work or picking up the kids.”

“This upgrade will fix the frustration of motorists that are sitting in traffic by stopping traffic banking up through the intersection.”