Maribyrnong council is calling on the state government to help fund the installation of traffic lights at two notorious intersections which could cost up to $10 million each.
Notices of motion calling for the installation of traffic signals at the intersection of Hampstead Road, Emu Road and Crefden Street in Maidstone and Hopkins Street, Hallenstein Street and Moreland Road in Footscray, were both endorsed at a council meeting on September 16.
Both intersections are on state managed roads and the state government would be required to fund the bulk of the funding with council contributing the rest through developer contributions.
The motion calling for traffic lights at the Hampstead Road intersection was moved by councillor Susan Yengi who said despite two community petitions and multiple complaints from residents, nothing had been done to improve safety at the busy intersection which was a fatality waiting to happen.
“It is not a matter of if but a matter of when,” Cr Yengi said.
The same phrase was used by Cr Samantha Meredith speaking in support of her motion calling for traffic lights at the corner of Hopkins and Hallenstien streets and Moreland Road in Footscray.
However, unlike in Maidstone, the intersection near the Joseph Road apartment precinct has already had one fatality when Footscray resident Frances Ramirez was killed there in November 2023.
“That was a big moment losing a community member and we don’t want to lose another,” Cr Meredith said, adding that the population of the area had continued to grow since then and was now home to an increasing number of shops and businesses, including a soon to open gym.
“This sharp increase is placing substantial pressure on the existing road infrastructure.
“Without the installation of a fully signalised intersection public safety will continue to be compromised.”
Council chief executive Celia Haddock pointed out that unlike Hampstead Road, no developer contributions were available for the Hopkins Street traffic lights, meaning the state government would need to foot the entire bill.
Both motions were passed unanimously and have already been submitted to the state government for inclusion in next year’s budget.
Roads and Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne was contacted for comment.
