Traralgon residents are dismayed at Labor’s ongoing inaction on the dangerous intersection of Bank Street and Princes Highway.
The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath said she fears Labor’s Bank Street Princes Highway promise made two years ago was just a smoke and mirrors media announcement.
“Traralgon community members are very concerned at the complete lack of progress at the busy intersection,” said Ms Bath.
“The Andrews Labor Government promised greater motorist and pedestrian safety and a reduction in congestion in May 2018 however, to date it has delivered zero improvements.
“The Princes Highway, Bank Street intersection is regarded as one of Traralgon’s most unsafe and busy intersections, servicing in excess of 20,000 vehicles daily.”
At the time of the announcement in 2018 Labor promised to deliver new traffic lights, a new pedestrian crossing, a footpath link, a left-hand slip lane and lengthening of the right-hand turning lane into Bank street.
Ms Bath said residents were frustrated, fed up with the Andrews Labor Government’s inaction on the project.
“Labor committed to the intersection’s completion to be mid 2019 and it is disappointing this timeframe has come and gone with no works undertaken,” said Ms Bath.
“There is genuine concern regarding the safety of intersection, which is frequently referred to as a fatality waiting to happen.
“Residents of Traralgon desperately want Labor to stop dragging the chain and address the safety of the intersection.”
Ms Bath said the State Government’s 2017/2018 budget identified this intersection in regional road upgrade funding.
“Constituents are legitimately questioning if the intersection upgrade will ever happen….or has it been shelved due to Labor’s billion dollar budget blow outs on the West Gate Tunnel project?” said Ms Bath.
“It is very concerning when Labor’s Treasurer Tim Pallas has said Victoria is running out money and the State Government is planning to slash $4 billion in spending.
“I am calling on Minister for Roads to declare to Traralgon residents where their promised money is, get moving and deliver this much need intersection upgrade.”
