- Published:
- Tuesday 1 March 2016
The Andrews Labor Government is reducing congestion and boosting safety in Warrandyte by making it quicker and easier for the local residents to evacuate during emergencies by widening the Warrandyte Bridge.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan and Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green visited Warrandyte today to announce $5.1 million to widen the bridge to three lanes and build a new pedestrian path across the Yarra River.
Two of the lanes will be for southbound traffic travelling from North Warrandyte to Warrandyte and the existing footpaths on either side of the bridge will be removed and replaced with a footpath on one side of the bridge.
Improvements will also be made to accommodate an extra lane of traffic from the bridge at the roundabout at the Yarra Street and Warrandyte-Ringwood Road roundabout.
Traffic lights will also be installed at a wider Kangaroo Ground-Warrandyte Road and Research-Warrandyte Road intersection.
Drivers travelling across the existing bridge on Kangaroo Ground-Warrandyte Road regularly experience significant traffic congestion and long delays.
According to traffic modelling data, approximately 2500 vehicles per hour would potentially travel southbound across the bridge during an emergency evacuation compared to the current 1100 vehicles per hour during a typical morning peak.
The works will take place either side of the fire danger season and are expected to start next month and be completed by the end of 2017.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan
“We’re widening the bridge to ensure the safety of locals by reducing evacuation times by up to 90 minutes.”
“We have listened to the community and we’re delivering a safer and more efficient bridge.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green
“Crossing Warrandyte Bridge, especially in the event of an emergency, has been a serious concern for the local community for many years and we’re fixing it.”
“We’ve listened to local residents and we’re building the infrastructure that they need for a safer community.”