A BUSY Buninyong intersection has had funding allocated in this year’s state budget to improve pedestrian safety.<\/p>\n
Money will be spent on the installation of four wombat crossings on the Warrenheip Street and Midland Highway roundabout.<\/p>\n
Eureka MP Michaela Settle said the crossings would be a calming measure as drivers will be made aware they need to slow down as they approach the raised part of the road.<\/p>\n
The pedestrian crossings were one recommendation from the Buninyong Road Safety Advisory Committee, established after two semi-trailer accidents in 2022 that sparked community concern. It included transport experts and residents.<\/p>\n
“One of the things that I really was pleased about in this project was that the voice of the people in Buninyong was heard,” she said. “And something that’s been mentioned to me again and again is that people didn’t feel safe crossing [here].<\/p>\n
“So this pedestrian crossing will provide safe and easy access for the people of Buninyong, but of course, it’s a wonderful place to visit.<\/p>\n
“For the people who come out here for the markets or to try the wonderful food and beverages on offer, they’ve got safe crossing too.”<\/p>\n
Other projects the committee recommended and had implemented were road narrowing as well as speed limit reduction around the top of the Midland Highway in Buninyong.<\/p>\n
Settle said work on the crossings would begin with funding handed down in the following financial year.<\/p>\n
Robert Elshaug, the safety and traffic convenor of the Buninyong and District Community Association, said the crossings would provide pedestrians with a safe way across the highway.<\/p>\n
“Particularly for people with wheelchairs and walkers,” he said. “And that becomes very definite because traffic does move through here quickly, and that’ll certainly slow them down with the wombat crossing.”<\/p>\n
Elshaug said traffic in the area had increased in the past few years.<\/p>\n
Thefunding comes from a $73.4 million pool to broadly address pedestrian safety across regional Victoria.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A BUSY Buninyong intersection has had funding allocated in this year’s state budget to improve pedestrian safety. Money will be spent on the installation of four wombat crossings on the Warrenheip Street and Midland Highway roundabout. Eureka MP Michaela Settle said the crossings would be a calming measure as drivers will be made aware they […]<\/p>\n