Wait continues for traffic lights at tricky intersection

KORUMBURRA Business Association (KBA) has been advocating for the installation of traffic signals at the intersection of Radovick and Commercial Streets during next year’s planned upgrade of Commercial Street but concedes it has been unsuccessful in that aim.

While the prospect of installing signals at that intersection was suggested in the 2016 Korumburra Town Centre Streetscape Master Plan commissioned by South Gippsland Shire Council, it was floated as a future option.

“The interim option aims to minimise redundant work, should the intersection be signalised, by retaining existing kerbs and using garden bed planting instead of temporary asphalt or footpaths,” it is stated in the Master Plan document, suggesting a staged approach to installing signals.

KBA argues the best course of action is to install signals at the intersection during the Commercial Street upgrade.

“It makes sense to do it properly the first time instead of down the track,” KBA secretary Noelene Cosson said, noting that delaying that initiative will add to the cost as construction prices continue to rise.

“We feel installing signals now and moving the pedestrian crossing to the intersection would give safer access to the highway from the south side of town,” Noelene said.

She stressed that while the Streetscape Master Plan spoke of the installation of signals in a longer-term context, that was seven years ago.

Noelene spoke of the fact there are already traffic lights in the main street, outlining reasons she believes they would be better placed at the Radovick and Commercial Street corner.

She said the current location of the traffic lights is challenging for trucks coming down the Commercial Street hill and they would be better suited on flatter ground.

“One of the main things is that you’re giving a safe entry onto the highway whether you are turning West or East,” Noelene said, describing it as a difficult intersection.

“Despite our efforts, we have not been successful in having this completed during the upgrade of Commercial Street,” she said.

However, KBA is still hopeful its desire for a safer, signalled intersection will eventually be realised.

“The Department of Transport and Planning is exploring the potential for traffic signals at the intersection and will continue to liaise with council to progress the matter,” Noelene said.

It is noted that the Commercial Street upgrade design will take this into consideration for easier installation when that time comes.

Member for Gippsland South Danny O’Brien is supportive of KBA’s call for traffic lights at the challenging intersection, having lobbied to State Government on its behalf.

“I wrote to the Minister for Roads two years ago on behalf of the KBA seeking traffic lights at the Radovick Street intersection; the response simply said the Department of Transport would work with council on the issue and I’ve not heard further from the government since,” Danny said.

“In my experience, it can be very difficult to safely exit Radovick St onto the highway and I certainly believe improvements should be looked at by both the Department of Transport and council.”

A council spokesperson said that while the requested traffic signals are at the intersection of two arterial roads, which are the responsibility of the Victorian Government’s Department of Transport and Planning (DTP), council has been working with DTP on the issue, with a positive long-term outlook likely.

 “DTP has confirmed that they are exploring the potential for these traffic signals and whilst the signals are not able to be installed during council’s upcoming Korumburra Streetscape Project due to timing and budget constraints, the streetscape design will make other improvements to the intersection and has been designed not to impede the installation of traffic signals in the future,” the spokesperson said.