A new crossing featuring traffic lights will be built further north of the dangerous existing crossing, at the Cemetery Rd intersection.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Another collision at the notoriously dangerous Kialla West Primary School crossing has reignited discussion about the urgency of its upcoming safety overhaul.
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On May 13, at 3.28pm — school pick-up time — an Isuzu MU-X SUV was turning north out of the school’s car park towards Shepparton on the Goulburn Valley Hwy when it and a silver Holden Astra, also travelling north, collided.
There were two occupants inside the Isuzu and one inside the Astra.
Advanced Life Support paramedics assessed and treated one person at the scene.
A woman in her 80s was transported by road ambulance to Goulburn Valley Health in a stable condition for observation, an Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said.
The stretch of road is in a 40km/h school zone.
While Shepparton police described the incident as a “minor collision”, they said speed was “possibly” a factor.
In March this year, it was announced that traffic lights would be installed at the school’s Goulburn Valley Hwy and Cemetery Rd intersection.
It came after more than six years of advocacy by the school’s parents’ association and other stakeholders for improved safety, after a shocking accident that seriously injured a mother and her three daughters seven years ago.
Association president Jamie Gilbert said at the time of the announcement that the news was a welcome relief.
“We just don’t want any more accidents or near misses or fatalities in relation to anyone, especially our school kids and our families,” he said.
Now, before works have begun, there has been another accident.
Final plans and construction timing confirmation was expected in the months following the March announcement of the $4.55 million project, which is funded equally by the Victorian and federal governments under the Road Safety Program, with an additional $812,000 contributed by Greater Shepparton City Council.
A starting date had still not been confirmed by the Department of Transport and Planning as of May 15.
Upgrades will also include expanding the cul-de-sac at the eastern end of Cemetery Rd, new footpaths and other improvements around the intersection.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“We know how important these upgrades are for the local community, particularly for students, families and road users around Kialla West Primary School,” City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali said.
“We look forward to DTP announcing a timeline and progressing these important works to prioritise safety and improve traffic conditions.”
The planned traffic lights will replace the existing school crossing, improving visibility for pedestrians crossing the highway, while student pick-up and drop-off zones and bus services will be relocated to Cemetery Rd to allow children to board and exit vehicles away from highway traffic.
Upgrades will also include expanding the cul-de-sac at the eastern end of Cemetery Rd, new footpaths and other improvements around the intersection.
A kindergarten is also expected to be built at the site this year and open on day one of the first school term next year.
It is believed by the school and the parents’ association that construction of the kindergarten and overhaul of the intersection will take place simultaneously, to avoid prolonged disruption to the school community and road users in the area.
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