Jennifer Pittorino
One of Footscray’s busiest intersections will be receiving a $3.14 million makeover to improve safety in the area.
On Friday, April 21, Roads and Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne announced plans for the safety improvements on the corner of Moore Street and Hopkins Street.
The project will include the removal of the traffic island at the intersection, as well as new bollards, fencing and tactile paving, asphalt resurfacing and new line marking.
Ms Horne said there was careful planning considering the road space, impacts on traffic flow and the demographic of the area.
“There are many apartments surrounding this intersection, we are seeing many young families move into the area, plus there are a lot of heavy vehicles coming in and out,” she said.
“It is very congested so being able to get the right safety resolution for residents has been really important.
Footscray MP Katie Hall said she began working on the project pre-COVID speaking to residents of the area.
“I first met with residents when I was first elected and it has been an ongoing process since then”, she said.
“Together with Melissa, we have been meeting with residents and have now succeeded in getting the speed limit lowered.”
From Thursday April 27, the current 50 km/h speed limit will be lowered to 40 km/h.
In the interim, safety measures have been placed in the intersection, including flexible bollards and flashing ‘watch for pedestrians’ signs.
Works at the intersection are due to begin at the end of May and are expected to be completed by the end of July.
A truck curfew will continue to remain in place on Moore Street between Hopkins Street and Ballarat Road, with the conclusion of the West Gate Tunnel project set to allow for the introduction of 24-hour truck bans on six local roads, including Moore Street.
