MOTORISTS accessing the Calder Freeway near Calder Park raceway are in for change — again.
But police and Calder Action Group members say they couldn’t be happier, unless a full overpass is on the books.
The state government has committed $1.28 million to build a run-on lane to allow U-turn access at the Organ Pipes Road intersection.
However, VicRoads regional director Patricia Liew said it will close right turn access into Calder Park Drive from the freeway.
The recent closure of Calder Park Drive to city-bound traffic after the opening of the nearby Kings Road overpass has forced motorists to head north several hundred metres, veer right to cut across traffic and access Organ Pipes Road, then do a U-turn around a small median divider in order to join the morning commute towards the CBD.
Almost equally dangerous has been the cross-over of south-bound traffic, which runs the gauntlet of evening commuters in an 80km/h zone of the freeway, in order to access Calder Park Drive.
“It’s a fatal waiting to happen,” a police source said, while others said only luck had prevented deaths or major injuries after numerous accidents at the site.
Calder Action Group’s Ian Sutherland joined police in praising the latest changes announced by the government, but he said a fully separated interchange and overpass remained the group’s main priority. “When [former premier John] Brumby opened the Malmsbury to Bendigo section, he said there was finally a freeway between Melbourne and Bendigo,” Mr Sutherland said.
“I wrote a letter then pointing out it is certainly not a freeway near Calder Park.”
The government has applied to Infrastructure Australia for funding for a full overpass at Calder Park Drive .
Mr Sutherland said the $60 million needed for this interchange would finally ensure safety along one of the worst stretches of the Calder.
“Hopefully, it will mean they might be able to raise the speed limit of that part to 100km/h, which may stop hoon driving.” In the interim, the tender for construction of a safe U-turn lane opposite Organ Pipes Road will be announced next month, with works to start early next year.
