VICROADS has defended pedestrian lights being installed near the Tower Rd- Nepean Highway intersection at Mt Eliza rather than at Kunyung Rd, which is closer to schools, service centres, post office, milk bar and a bus stop.
A summary of complaints to The News over the past six months show most claimed the lights were of little benefit to cars turning into and out of Tower Rd, while fewer pedestrians needed to cross the busy road there.
In contrast, the Kunyung Rd intersection was described as a “very dangerous six-lane, 80kph crossing point on the crest of a hill”.
The $500,000 Tower Rd traffic lights project was financed by the federal government ($400,000) and Mornington Peninsula Shire ($100,000).
VicRoads regional director Aidan McGann said two people had died at the Tower Rd-Nepean Highway intersection in recent years and that there had been three other serious crashes, near misses and minor accidents at the intersection.
Mr McGann said one recorded crash at the Nepean Highway-Kunyung Rd intersection – a serious-injury crash involving a pedestrian – had occurred in the five years to June.
“Traffic queuing in Tower Rd is now being detected and, if necessary, the pedestrian crossing will be switched on to stop traffic on Nepean Highway, safely allowing road users to exit Tower Rd and enter Nepean Highway,” he said.
“VicRoads will continue to monitor the safety and operation of the intersection.”
