By Goya Dmytryshchak
Altona Meadows residents have renewed calls for action to improve safety at a notorious freeway exit after three crashes were reported within a week.
VicRoads last year vowed to review the tight turn on the Newland Street off-ramp from the Princes Freeway after two cars slammed into a wall in the space of a fortnight.
In recent incidents, two collisions were reported at the location within about an hour on Sunday, February 3.
Altona Meadows Community Association president Jodi Martin said she witnessed a another crash at the site on Tuesday last week.
“When I came off the ramp, the cars obviously have been slowing down for the ‘Slow Down’ sign and two cars had collided at the start of the exit lane from the freeway,” she said.
“One car had run into the back of another car.
“It’s a very sharp corner that you really do underestimate … it’s just about a total U-turn.”
VicRoads transport and planning director David Teague said new line markings and “Reduce Speed” signs had been added.
“A review has shown some promising signs with a slight overall reduction in vehicle speeds,” he said.
“We’ll continue to monitor safety on the Newland Street exit and will consider making further safety improvements if necessary.”
The recommended exit speed is 35km/h.
Speed counts conducted over seven days in December before and after the new signs showed a slight reduction in the number of vehicles travelling at speeds of above 50km/h.
