Member for Barker Tony Pasin has declared the intersection of the Southern Ports Highway and Southend Access Road intersection “an accident waiting to happen”.
After years of lobbying, Mr Pasin said a response to his latest correspondence to the State Government has clearly indicated the State Government has no intention of installing a left-hand turning lane at the intersection.
“I encouraged the Wattle Range Council to apply to the Federal Government’s Blackspot program under the pro-active application process to fund a left-hand turning lane on the Southern Ports Highway but the State Government rejected the recommendation, indicating there was alternative funding sources that would be used,” Mr Pasin said.
“I wrote to Minister Koutsantonis in June requesting an update on progress of the matter and the response is disappointing to say the least.”
In his response the Minister said a review of the location had determined the low volume of vehicles turning left did not warrant construction of a separate left turn from Southern Ports Highway onto Southend Access Road.
Mr Pasin said that for many years the Southend Progress Association, Wattle Range Council and the RAA have all been active in advocating for a dedicated left hand turning lane to increase road safety on the State Government road.
“Minister Koutsantonis thinks the junction is operating safely and is in a satisfactory condition in its current layout,” Mr Pasin said.
“The Southend Progress Association, Wattle Range Council and RAA join me in disagreeing with the Minister on this matter.
“This is a perfect example of rural and regional roads being neglected because government spending priorities lay elsewhere despite two-third of all road fatalities being on rural and regional roads.
“It’s incumbent on all of road users to bring these statistics down but funding a left-hand turning lane at this junction would be a great place for Koutsantonis to start.”
A spokesman for Minister Koutsantonis said “the proactive black spot nomination was previously submitted by Wattle Range Council to be considered for funding under the 2021-2022 Australian Government Black Spot Program for the Southern Ports Highway and Southend Access Road intersection improvement, at a cost of $70,000”.
“This proposed an installation of a sheltered left turn lane from Southern Ports Highway onto Southend Access Road,” the spokesman said.
“However, projects of this nature normally cost about $600,000.
“A subsequent review undertaken at this location identified the current signage is appropriate and there are rumble strips on the Southend Access Road to improve driver awareness of the approaching junction.
“Advance directional signs have been installed on both approaches to Southend Access Road advising motorists of the upcoming junction.
“A right turn treatment has been provided to allow vehicles to pass any vehicles that have slowed down or stopped to turn right into Southend Access Road.
“Given the straight nature of the Southern Ports Highway when approaching Southend Access Road from the south, northbound vehicles have sufficient sight distance to react to any vehicles attempting to turn left into Southern Access Road.”
The spokesman said, in addition, the review determined the low volume of vehicles turning left did not warrant construction of a separate left turn lane from Southern Ports Highway onto Southend Access Road.
“For context, the intersection has full sealed shoulders on all approaches, and for low-volume rural roads, a full sealed shoulder is satisfactory to enable vehicles to slow and turn left out of the path of through-traffic,” he said.
“An analysis of the crash statistics for the five-year period 2017 to 2021 reveals no casualty crashes at this location, and no crashes as a result of narrow roads, left turns or inadequate line marking.
“Each year the list of candidate projects for funding substantially exceeds the funds available and a priority system is used to determine where funds should be allocated.
“This approach ensures the funds available are allocated to the projects where the greatest benefit can be provided to the community as a whole.
“Analysis of relevant data combined with the low traffic volumes indicates the junction has been operating safely to date and is in a satisfactory condition in its current layout but, noting community input, it may be considered in the future when assessing projects to receive state government funding.”
However, the spokesman said the Department for Infrastructure and Transport will be applying for funding under the 2023-24 Australian Government Black Spot Program to upgrade the intersection which, if successful, could include the installation of a sheltered left turn lane from Southern Ports Highway onto Southend Access Road.
