A potentially catastrophic incident has prompted Hume council to again urge VicRoads to speed up plans to duplicate Sunbury Road.
The roads authority has confirmed it plans to install safety barriers along the centre median between Tullamarine Freeway and Oaklands Road.
It came after councillors decided to express their concern about the lack of safety on the busy road past Melbourne Airport after receiving reports that two cars completed U-turns, over double lines and in the face of oncoming traffic, at the same time on May 7.
‘‘We keep coming back asking for something to be done. Does it take a death for them to do anything about it?’’
The incident took place directly in front of a memorial cross where two men were killed by a car that crossed onto the wrong side of the road.
Cr Jack Medcraft said he was appalled.
‘‘How there wasn’t a triple head-on there, I don’t know,’’ he said.
‘‘We keep coming back asking for something to be done. Does it take a death for them to do anything about it?’’
There were 47 crashes on Sunbury Road between the Tullamarine Freeway and Wildwood Road, Bulla, in the 10 years to last December 31, resulting in two fatalities and 18 serious injuries.
Cr Medcraft said that while last year’s speed limit reduction and works around the edges were welcome, motorists continued to put the lives of others at risk.
‘‘Anyone who’s driven down that road sees traffic trying to turn around to wait for someone getting off a plane or to go see Skippy,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s frightening.’’ Cr Medcraft’s calls for wire or concrete barriers were swiftly answered, with VicRoads immediately confirming plans to seek funding for the work to be carried out.
Bulla bypass
VicRoads regional director Vince Punaro said detailed planning was underway for a link between Melbourne Airport and the future Outer Metropolitan Ring Road, including a bypass of Bulla.
‘‘The planning has identified suitable routes for these links to support future traffic volumes in the region, including Sunbury Road traffic,’’ Mr Punaro said.
‘‘The Melbourne Airport Link and Bulla bypass is considered to be a long-term project and will ultimately consist of six traffic lanes and include off-road shared bicycle and pedestrian paths.’’
