By Callum Ludwig
Some safety concerns have been raised about an important intersection in the Upper Yarra after a road sign was damaged, and not for the first time.
The intersection of Dalry Road and Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road is the area in question, with Dalry Road managed by Yarra Ranges Council and Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road managed by the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP).
Director of Built Environment and Infrastructure at Yarra Ranges Council Hjalmar Phillipp said Council has proactively taken measures within their jurisdiction to enhance road safety of the Dalry Road intersection at Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road.
“This includes upgrading line marking and installing Raised Reflective Pavement Markers (RRPMs) in sections managed by Council,” he said.
“The section up to the end of the splitter island falls under the responsibility of the DTP.”
The ‘Keep Left’ sign on the splitter was struck recently, completely flattening the sign and likely caused by the sharp and somewhat sudden turn so the road is perpendicular with Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road at the intersection. It was fixed on Friday 1 December.
Mr Phillipp said the Council has forwarded the safety concerns related to the splitter island to the DTP for their review.
“Council is in regular communication with DTP to ensure a collaborative approach to address safety concerns,” he said.
“In accordance with the Road Management Plan (RMP), Council conducts reactive inspections every six months with the last inspection on Dalry Road occurring on August 7 2023, and the next scheduled inspection in early February 2024.”
Tyre marks were also left on the splitter after the recent incident.
Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road and Dalry Road have each been calling cards for road action in recent years including road widening and pavement resealing which were carried out by VicRoads where possible on Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road between Syme and Dalry Road in early 2018.
The DTP was contacted for comment.
