Six large river red gums will be saved by design changes to the northern upgrades on Yan Yean Road.
Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority (VIDA) roads acting program director Leigh Crump said the community influenced the changes.
“We have improved the design… so the upgrade fits in better with the local environment and preserves trees that matter to the local community,” he said.
“Listening to locals to improve the design… remains a major part of our approach.”
The updated design retains the trees located opposite the intersection of Activity Way and Yan Yean Road, which are estimated to be over 500 years old.
Another two heritage-listed river red gums have also previously been protected in the road design.
Further changes include fewer lanes in and out of Doctors Gully Road, which a VIDA spokesperson said would better reflect the rural feel.
“Fewer lanes also means older and larger trees and vegetation around the intersection can be retained,” Mr Crump said.
These updates mean the intersection, which is being constructed on the corner of Yan Yean and Doctors Gully roads, will be smaller.
The design sets out single right-turn lanes to and from Doctors Gully and Yan Yean roads.
There will also be two eastbound lanes from Doctors Gully Road onto Bridge Inn Road and one westbound lane in the opposite direction.
According to VIDA, the smaller area means less construction activity at the intersection, which will minimise disruption and speed up works.
There have also been updates to the planned Activity Way intersection.
The current slip lane from Yan Yean Road to Activity Way will be replaced by a standard left turn lane.
“This will make it safer for pedestrians to cross… and will mean the area is less likely to be used as a rat run to get to Bridge Inn Road,” a VIDA spokesperson said.
The intersection will also include a designated P-turn to allow heavy vehicles to U-turn safely and travel south on Yan Yean Road.
“This design improvement will also retain more trees in the area.”
For more information on the stage 2 upgrades visit https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/roads/yan-yean-road-upgrade/stage-2
