The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien has called on the Andrews Labor Government to review plans for centre-line barriers on the proposed new section of the South Gippsland Highway between Koonwarra and Meeniyan.
Mr O’Brien has written to the Minister for Roads after a series of complaints and problems were identified with the barriers on the Princes Highway between Sale and Bairnsdale.
“My colleague the Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull has been fielding hundreds of complaints and the community has shown the problems of putting wire rope barriers too close to the side of the road – especially where there is also a centre-line barrier.
“We’ve seen a number of instances where a breakdown of a vehicle has led to a dangerous situation for people trying to change a tyre or similar, and instances where traffic has banked up for kilometres because a wide load simply could not pass a broken down vehicle.
“I’m aware that the people of South Gippsland have raised similar concerns about the Black Spur section of the South Gippsland Highway getting these barriers and I’ve asked the Minister to review the government’s plans.
“At the very least the Minister must guarantee that VicRoads will stick to its own guidelines and ensure that any wire rope barriers on the roadside are at least four metres from the traffic lane. These barriers can save lives, but they must be put in the right place and where needed most.”
Mr O’Brien has also asked the Government for timelines of the project which has been delayed time and again.
“This project was funded in 2016 by the state and federal governments and we were told it would begin at the end of last year. We’re now into September of 2019 and we are yet to see major construction activity.
“The government needs to get on with the job and get on with doing the job correctly.
“This is not about reducing road safety this about making sure we have sensible safety features on our roads that cater for the unique characteristics of rural roads where breakdowns often occur and motorists share the road with trucks and agricultural machinery.”