Two existing Allan St crossings will undergo upgrades starting Tuesday, June 9.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Works are scheduled to begin this week on three existing zebra crossings in Kyabram’s central business district, as Campaspe Shire Council aims to improve pedestrian safety and visibility.
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The safety upgrades include raised pedestrian crossings, upgraded lighting, improved line markings and signage, plus new concrete kerb and footpath connections.
Three crossing locations will be upgraded: Bradley St (between Church and Union Sts) and two Allan St crossings (between Lake Rd and Union St, and between Union and Albion Sts).
Campaspe Shire Mayor Daniel Mackrell said the raised crossings would enhance pedestrian safety.
“This type of crossing not only encourages drivers to slow down by clearly defining the pedestrian area and providing a physical speed bump but also elevates pedestrian visibility for drivers,” he said.
The project is funded through a $290,000 investment through the Victorian Government’s Safe Local Roads and Streets Program.
Works at the existing Bradley St crossing are scheduled to begin first.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Local business owners near the Allan St crossing between Lake Rd and Union St shared their thoughts on the upgrades with the Free Press.
Bennett’s Intersport co-owner Susie Bennett expressed initial concern about whether the crossing upgrades were necessary, and was concerned about potholes on the roads.
“Our pedestrian crossings are quite safe anyway, very rarely is there an issue with it,” she said.
She also acknowledged the benefits of the upgrades.
“It would be safer because people will slow down to go over the speed bump,” she said.
According to Transport Victoria road crash data on serious injury incidents over the past decade, Allan St has been a hub for collisions involving pedestrian.
There have been 13 pedestrian injuries recorded — seven of which occurred on Allan St between Sandhurst and Haslem Sts.
Along Allan St, six pedestrians were seriously injured and the other was listed as having ‘other injuries’.
Five of those pedestrians were minors, with the youngest being under five years old.
Ky Lucky Lotto director Miles Gould welcomed the safety upgrades, having witnessed dozens of incidents and near misses during his 13 years at the shop on Allan St.
“There’s no doubt they’re needed,” he said.
Kyabram Lotto and Toys director Miles Gould thinks the upgrades are needed to force vehicles to slow down on Allan St.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
“For a few reasons, for the safety of people, but also … if it slows a few vehicles down because a lot don’t.”
Mr Gould said the current crossings and paths also posed other hazards, particularly in wet weather.
“The way Allan street is designed … with the tiles and so forth, it is slippery,” he said.
“We’re an older community, I know myself, I’ve slipped on them, so to have them level with the road will make that easier.”
The locations undergoing upgrades were prioritised based on a combination of crash history data and their ability to meet funding criteria.
Cr Mackrell said Campaspe Shire Council initially identified several locations for upgrades and workshopped through a joint project management team comprising officers from the Transport Accident Commission and the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning.
The safety treatments at each site were determined by council and the project management team, with officers from TAC and DTP also providing recommendations on treatments.
While the three sites will undergo upgrades at this time, council has identified additional locations for potential future works.
“These sites have been assessed and discussed with the project management team and will be considered for delivery as suitable funding opportunities arise,” Cr Mackrell said.
Community members can expect one vehicle lane to remain open at all times as works begin on the Bradley St crossing, with the Allan St sites to follow immediately after.
