NORTHERN motorists seeing red over traffic-camera fines at a major Thomastown intersection may get some relief.
The state government has added the intersection of High Street, Mahoneys Road and Keon Parade to a hit list of red-light camera sites to be investigated.
The intersection allegedly had an incorrect amber light period of three seconds instead of the AustRoads specified 4.5 seconds for almost a year from October 20, 2011, to September 26, 2012.
Police and Emergency Services Minister Peter Ryan said he had asked Victorian Road Safety Camera Commissioner Gordon Lewis to broaden his investigation into amber light times at red-light camera intersections.
The probe started with questions about the amber light period at a Melbourne airport intersection. Mr Ryan said VicRoads had identified seven additional sites found to be “inconsistent” with AustRoads guidelines.
“VicRoads has now confirmed all signals are operating in accordance with the guidelines,” he said.
Other good news for local drivers comes with the promise that Plenty Road will be opened as a divided road with two lanes of traffic in each direction by Christmas, except for a small stretch at Gordons Road.
VicRoads project director Andrew Williams said that despite the poor site conditions and persistent wet weather, the new lanes would be ready by the holiday season.
He said work on the stretch near Gordons Road would continue and was expected to be completed early next year.
