Urgent plea to fix snarl

By Melissa Grant
TRAFFIC congestion and dangerous access points to Pakenham’s Central Business District (CBD) have prompted calls for an urgent upgrade to McGregor Road.
The Pakenham Business Group (PBG) is leading the charge to have the Pakenham Bypass on and off ramp improved, amid concerns trading in and around Main Street could be adversely affected if the road remains in its current state.
The first stage of the road’s duplication is expected to begin late this year, but PBG members want the whole project to be completed as soon as possible.
PBG vice-president Michael Porter said increased traffic from the bypass, single-lane traffic and the railway crossing created a dangerous situation for motorists.
He wants the whole of McGregor Road duplicated as soon as possible and more people using the Racecourse Road off-ramp to access Pakenham’s retail heartland.
“Access to the town needs to be made simple,” he said.
“They come off the bypass and where’s the signage for the town centre? We want people to use Bald Hill Road more.”
Fellow PBG member Peter Scollo said traffic literally came to a halt on McGregor Road as soon as one motorist was forced to wait to turn into adjoining streets.
“If vehicles are leaving the CBD and are heading towards the arterial or bypass, those wanting to turn right into the Heritage Springs Estate literally hold up the traffic,” he said.
“There are three problems – increased congestion from the bypass, single lane traffic and the railway line.”
“It’s a dangerous cocktail.”
Mr Scollo said something needed to be done before people avoided Pakenham altogether.
“It’s fantastic to have the bypass, but if we don’t address these issues shoppers will continue on to Fountain Gate,” he said.
Mr Scollo said he understood part of the road would be duplicated soon but wanted the whole process to speed up.
“We don’t want lives to be lost before this happens,” he said.
Cardinia Shire Council general manager assets and services Michael Ellis said the McGregor Road duplication would result in improved access to Pakenham, decreased travel times and increased safety.
Tenders are being sought for the first stage of the duplication, which will see McGregor Road double from one lane to two from south of Henry Road to Heritage Boulevard.
The existing road will form the two lanes of the southbound road and a new road will be constructed to create the two northbound lanes and median strip.
Traffic signals will also be installed as part of the project, which is expected to take eight months to complete.
The second stage of the upgrade will focus on duplication around the rail line and improved access into the town centre with an intersection upgrade at Rogers Street near the rail line.
Mr Ellis said the third stage would duplicate McGregor Road to the Princes Highway to the same standard as the southern section.