By Lachlan Ellis<\/p>\n
There has been a promise made by the Andrews Labor Government for a $25 million project to put traffic lights at a Bacchus Marsh roundabout, should it win next month\u2019s election \u2013 but the community is divided on the idea.<\/p>\n
As part of a $174 million \u2018suburban roads blitz\u2019, the current State Government plans to invest to \u201cimprove safety, make traffic flow more smoothly for road users, and improve connections for local pedestrians and cyclists\u201d in three towns, including Bacchus Marsh.<\/p>\n
Under the plan, the roundabout at the intersection of Grant Street, Griffith Street, and Station Street (near Bacchus Marsh College and Maddingley Park) will be replaced with traffic lights that are timed and connected to the nearby level crossing.<\/p>\n
Member for Buninyong and Labor candidate for the new seat of Eureka, Michaela Settle, said the Bacchus Marsh community had been calling for ways to ease the town\u2019s traffic congestion.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all know what this intersection gets like in the morning, we\u2019ve got the College and Bacchus Marsh Grammar on the other side of the railway line. I think we all know something really desperately needs to be done,\u201d Ms Settle told the Moorabool News.<\/p>\n
\u201cSteve McGhie talked last year about trying to get some pedestrian access, but having the lights will make things a bit more safe. For me, it\u2019s about keeping the community, but also making it safer for our kids.\u201d<\/p>\n
The plan has drawn mixed reactions from the Bacchus Marsh community on social media with some saying that the lights are \u201cwell overdue\u201d, while others say \u201ctraffic is going to be terrible\u201d if the lights are installed.<\/p>\n
When asked about the criticism, Ms Settle said she would \u201cdefer to the experts\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cRegional Roads Victoria have been looking at this intersection for some time. A year or so ago there was money announced for the lights at Grant Street, and at the same time RRV were doing work to look at this intersection, and how to make it safe and viable,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand how people might think stopping and starting is a bad thing, but I think you\u2019ll find the regulation of movement will make it better. But I\u2019ll defer to the experts at Regional Roads, who really think this is something worth doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
If the Andrews Government is re-elected, the Griffith Street\/Station Street lights will begin construction after the lights at Grant Street are completed.<\/p>\n
The Grant Street lights are currently due to begin construction in March.<\/p>\n
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By Lachlan Ellis There has been a promise made by the Andrews Labor Government for a $25 million project to put traffic lights at a Bacchus Marsh roundabout, should it win next month\u2019s election \u2013 but the community is divided on the idea. As part of a $174 million \u2018suburban roads blitz\u2019, the current State […]<\/p>\n