Latrobe City Council is calling on the Victorian Minister for Public and Active Transport, and the Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety to urgently complete and activate the traffic lights at the intersection of Bank Street and Princes Highway in Traralgon.
The project received funding in 2018, and construction works at the intersection have already been completed. The outstanding component is the design and installation of the traffic lights, which must also be integrated with the nearby train signalling system.
Without the traffic lights in operation, several accidents and near misses have been reported, raising significant safety concerns within the community.
At the February meeting of Latrobe City Council, a Notice of Motion was introduced, and Councillors unanimously supported a request for the urgent activation of the traffic lights. Council will also seek a clear and publicly available timeline outlining when the traffic lights will be switched on.
Council has sought regular updates from the Department of Transport regarding the critical safety upgrades.
Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Sharon Gibson, shares the concern.
"Our community deserves an accurate timeline for the intersection to operate with lights to make it safe for all road users . The explanation that the traffic lights need to be integrated with the rail signalling system does not change the fact that funded infrastructure announced in 2018 is still not operational," said the Mayor.
Councillor Joanne Campbell raised the matter at the Council meeting on behalf of concerned residents.
"Unfortunately several accidents have occurred at the intersection and community concern is growing that the project won't be finalised this year. The funding was announced eight years ago and still has not delivered on keeping our community safe." said Cr Campbell.
