Fatal road relief

By Melissa Donchi
THE difficult intersection of Don Road and Maroondah Highway in Healesville will undergo a safety upgrade after McEwen MP Fran Bailey secured $400,000 for traffic lights.
The project will allow nearby school children and aged care residents to cross the road safely.
Shire of Yarra Ranges spokesman James Martin said the shire will be meeting with VicRoads next week to discuss the federal money.
“We’re absolutely delighted with the funding and feel that these new traffic lights will adequately address our safety concerns and traffic flow,” Mr Martin said.
“We’ll be meeting with VicRoads to discuss how we proceed with the project in allocating the federal funds.”
The shire has been working with VicRoads to make safety and operational improvements at the intersection after seven casualty crashes were recorded between July 2001 and June 2006.
Community concern surrounding the intersection intensified after the death of a 12-year-old Healesville High School student Tricia O’Reilly, who was killed when she was struck by a truck at Healesville’s East End on 27 August 2001.
Ms Bailey said it was crucial that the stretch of road be made safer for the community.
“This intersection sees heavy traffic daily, by both vehicular and pedestrian users – particularly from a local aged care facility and our local high school,” Ms Bailey said.
“This stretch of road must be made safer for our community so we can ensure that another family does not lose a loved one needlessly.”
Healesville High School principal Tom Beagher said the school council looked at the shire’s proposal from a student welfare and safety aspect.
“Anything that improves the safety of students crossing that road is a step in the right direction,” Mr Beagher said.
While the shire hopes a new set of traffic lights at the intersection will provide more safety for drivers and pedestrians, it also hopes the proposal will result in ‘minimal inconvenience to residents and proprietors’.
Most of the East End traders were strongly opposed to the proposal claiming it would affect their businesses and many of them have since met with VicRoads representatives to discuss their concerns.
East End Traders spokeswoman Kersten Gentle said she was pleased with the way VicRoads had handled the situation.
“I’m pleased with the way VicRoads kept their word and consulted with the affected traders individually,” Ms Gentle said.
“It’s good that our local member Fran Bailey got the funding in the first place and continues to look after our community.”