Crews will be on-site in the coming weeks to conduct surveys and service location works in Main Street, which will be a critical step in confirming the locations of the new safety infrastructure.
The $1.3 million State Government investment to upgrade safety across Rutherglen’s Main Street was announced last Thursday in the decades-long fight by locals for major changes for alternative traffic route or at least improved safety measures in the town’s main street.
Four accidents, including one fatality, have occurred in Main Street, in 2024 alone.
Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes advised The Free Press of the announcement which is to help manage traffic flow in the area and give pedestrians more options to cross safely.
There may be some minor traffic disruptions while this work is underway, and motorists are advised to allow for extra travel time.
Several new pedestrian crossing points will be installed on the Murray Valley Highway (Main Street), including one pedestrian-operated signalised crossing, as part of the Rutherglen Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project.
Other safety upgrades will include kerb expansions at the entry points to Main Street to slow down traffic, along with improved signage and line marking in the area.
Specific dates for this year and 2025 for the work has been sought by The Free Press.
“The design and construction updates on the safety improvements along Murray Valley Highway will be communicated with the community as the project progresses,” the announcement states.
“Once plans are finalised, major works will be carried out by the Department of Transport and Planning in 2025.”
Ms Symes said: “We’re making Main Street safer for everyone who lives, works, visits or travels through Rutherglen.
“We all play a part in keeping our roads safe right across the state. That’s why we’re continuing to deliver crucial infrastructure safety upgrades in areas where they’re most needed.”
Long-time advocate for improved safety in Main Street Roberta Horne welcomes the announcement but is understandably cautious about intending works.
“Yes! Our 900 signature petition I arranged for Wendy Lovell to present to the Upper House along with your editorial ‘prod’ has helped make this happen,” she told The Free Press.
“Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen, and I’ve talked to, Department of Transport people when I’ve seen them doing survey work in Main Street and then on Friday, I saw the traffic counters in Murphy and Murray Streets so I knew something was finally happening.”
Ms Horne was bewildered about the surveying and measuring “after having spent somewhere in the vicinity of $690,000. Hopefully, they were double-checking!”
Ms Horne believes the money is the remainder of the State’s $2 million election promise.
In respect of ‘Several new pedestrian crossing points’, she posed the question: “Does this come with a reduced speed limit? 30 km has been suggested (by the proprietor of the hardware shop – an ex policeman).”
Regarding ‘one pedestrian-operated signalised crossing’, locals asked for and emphasised the need for two crossings – one at the newsagents and the other at the post office.
Kerb expansions at the entry points to Main Street to slow down traffic are considered by locals as a simple yet effective way to slow the traffic down that could have been done ages ago.
Ms Horne rejoiced at the town’s long-awaited wish for the government’s intention of ‘improved signage and line marking in the area’.
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