THE $1 million being spent on roundabouts on Wooralla Drive at the St Kilda and Brighton streets intersections, Mt Eliza, is a waste of money, a resident claims.
“It seems like there’s no shortage of cash floating around if the shire is planning to build two unnecessary additional roundabouts,” Greg Dixon, of Tower Rd, said.
“This mad obsession with destroying roads in the name of some imaginary Black Spot program will increase the danger of this particular section of a key arterial connecting road – particularly as the visibility in both directions is already hampered by an unkempt verge.
“It will do nothing to enhance the safety of pedestrians or cyclists wishing to walk or ride along the road.”
Dunkley MP Bruce Billson said the Black Spot-funded works would make the road safer. It comes with other grants for a roundabout on Humphries Rd at Walkers Rd ($619,000) and kerbs and bike lanes on Barkly St, Mornington, at Herbert St ($181,000).
“Together with $74,000 from Frankston City, the $1.94 million allocation to Dunkley roads in this round will target intersections and sections of road with significant accident and injury history,” he said.
The Wooralla Drive and Humphries Rd roundabout projects are designed to reduce collisions involving motorists, cyclists and pedestrians due to excessive speed. The Barkly St project will ensure drivers recognise the Herbert St intersection through improved sight distance.
“The chosen projects represent works that deliver the highest benefit to the community for the funds involved,” Mr Billson said.
“I have long been advocating for funding to improve safety on local roads, particularly in Mt Eliza where there has been some troubling motorist and pedestrian safety concerns – unfortunately involving fatalities.”
Mr Dixon asked: “Where’s the data supporting the argument for either or both, and when will we get our walking/cycling track?
“They have obviously never used the road and I have never seen an accident there and I use the road every day.
“I think so much more could have been done with the money.”
First published in the Mornington News – 6 October 2015