By Holly McGuinness
Investigations are underway to improve a complex interchange in Sunshine across St Albans, Anderson and McIntyre Road after residents have dealt with significant congestion for many years now and dangerous road conditions.
Commuter’s frustrations in the area were brought to a peak in late June where up to nine buses queued up on a Monday afternoon as a result of buses replacing trains between Sunshine and Sunbury.
Brimbank resident Tony Smith has been frustrated by the intersection for some time and said, “it was well into the rail replacement bus season so any glitches should have been well sorted, but 3:45pm seemed a bit early for the bus lane to be that busy. The lack of thinking about that intersection should be an embarrassment to VicRoads who long had a major office just around the corner.”
A spokesperson for The Department of Transport has told Star Weekly, “Important work on the Sunbury Line Upgrade and Gap Road Level Crossing Removal Project resulted in an increase in buses traveling through the Sunshine area – we thank passengers and motorists for their patience during this period,
“We are investigating options to improve journeys through Sunshine, including the interchange of St Albans, Anderson and McIntyre Roads, and will continue to monitor the area to ensure it can cater to future growth and all motorists can get where they need to go,” said the Department of Transport spokesperson.
The Department of Transport is considering options to improve the area with a potential for realignment of St Albans Road, a public acquisition overlay has been applied to reserve land that should ensure the potential for a future project on this matter.
Another aim is to reduce delays and the complexity of the Ballarat and McIntyre road intersection with additional analysis to be undertaken which will be included under the Victorian Government’s $20 billion investment into infrastructure in Melbourne’s Western suburbs.
The State Government will also be delivering high priority arterial road network upgrades across the state which includes traffic light upgrades to improve brightness and longevity at the intersection of McIntyre Road and Phoenix Street in Sunshine North as well as outside Sunshine Fire Station.
