- Published:
- Wednesday 21 February 2024
Drivers, pedestrians and cyclists will soon experience safer journeys along Black Forest Drive with Allan Labor Government works to deliver key safety improvements between Woodend and Macedon starting from late February.
The safety improvements have been designed to benefit all road users and include changing the lane configuration to one lane in each direction to allow for new dedicated bike lanes, a new painted centre median to provide space for new right-turn lanes and pedestrian refuges, rumble strips and road surface resealing.
The dedicated bike lanes will improve safety by separating bikes from other vehicles and making bike riders more visible to other road users. Rumble strips which create an audible sound and vibration to warn drivers when they veer out of their lane will also be installed between the new lanes to reduce the chance of collisions occurring.
New right-hand turn lanes for accessing side roads will be added at 13 locations in the new centre median to provide safer turning for all road users and reduce the risk of nose-to-tail collisions.
The new centre median can also be used by all road users to safely turn into properties without needing to stop in a traffic lane.
Pedestrian islands will be built at key locations to boost safety, especially for school children using bus stops.
The works are designed to improve safety for all road users along a 12-kilometre stretch of Black Forest Drive between Quarry Road and Mount Macedon Road.
The safety improvements have been informed by crash history data, road safety guidelines, community feedback and the surrounding environment.
The Labor Government invested $6 million to make safety improvements on Black Forest Drive in the Victorian Budget 2021-22.
The Department of Transport and Planning have undertaken extensive community consultation on safety improvements for Black Forest Drive.
Works on the safety improvements are expected to be completed in the second half of 2024, weather permitting.
Work will be completed in sections along Black Forest Drive to minimise impact to traffic, but there will be some disruptions while works are taking place with reduced speeds and delays expected of up to 10 minutes.
Quote attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne
“Following extensive community consultation and the examination of different design options, we’re making journeys along Black Forest Drive safer for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.”
Quote attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
“The community told us this section of road was dangerous, we’ve listened and now we’re getting on with delivering works to make it safer.”