Works to upgrade the commuter capacity of the intersection at Station Road and Saunders Roads in New Gisborne are complete, with new traffic lights, turning lanes and pedestrian crossings.
The project was designed to accommodate a forecast increase in population in Gisborne and a greater dependency on the roads.
According to projections for Gisborne from demographic researching organisation .id, the suburb’s population is expected to leap 38.9 per cent from 2021 to 2036.
The intersection will also serve as a thoroughfare for parents with children enrolled in a new primary school and early childhood centre expected to open nearby next year.
Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas said the upgrade was a necessary “future-proofing” operation, given the intersection’s proximity to aged care and childcare centres.
“The right hand turns were diabolical, that’s why I responded to concerns from the community to get this project done,” Ms Thomas said.
Regional Roads Victoria Loddon Mallee operations manager Barry Green said the design also factored in bike lanes to accommodate an uptake in cycling during the pandemic.
According to Mr Green, Victoria experienced a 76 per cent increase in sales of bicycles in the past year.
Oliver Lees
