By ANEEKA SIMONIS
FRUSTRATIONS are at an all-time high along one of Pakenham’s most congested roads – frequented by children and youths observed weaving in between cars – and drivers are growing increasingly agitated during their bumper-to-bumper commute.
A long queue of cars can be seen on either side of the infamous McGregor Road level crossing during peak times.
Many drivers desperately trying to escape the gridlock can be seen attempting to manoeuvre past fellow motorists or attempt a dash across the train tracks as traffic bottlenecks, reduced from four lanes to two over the crossing.
Youths and mothers with prams are among those seen “walking in between cars” or making “a quick dash” across the road without a pedestrian crossing, according to Heritage Springs Residents Group president Ian Coad.
He met with Shadow Minister for Public Transport David Hodgett and Bass MP Brian Paynter on Wednesday 16 March to discuss the much-needed duplication project.
He agreed with Mr Paynter who said the jammed road was increasingly “aggravating” drivers, with the issue expected to further worsen with the region’s ongoing high growth projections.
“It’s dangerous. You see people trying to merge and squash in as the lane reduces,” Mr Paynter said.
Mr Hodgett blamed the congestion on government “short-sightedness” and accused the Andrews government of deprioritising road concerns in the city’s south-east.
“It seems the concerns are falling on deaf ears,” he said.
“It seems they are ignoring and neglecting this growth area.”
The ongoing congestion at McGregor Road is impacting other roads in the Pakenham district, with Bald Hill Road also clogging during peak times as motorists attempting to escape the gridlock find themselves in another traffic nightmare on their way into town.
The Andrews government was unavailable for comment about whether the duplication project was being considered in the upcoming 2016-’17 state budget.
The duplication project has the support of local government with Cardinia Shire Council last year revealing that it is campaigning to see the issue addressed.
“We are listening to what you are saying on this issue and we are continuing to advocate to the Victorian Government for the upgrade and duplication of the road over the crossing, as well as for intersection works at Henty and Rogers streets,” Councillor Leticia Wilmot said.
It is estimated the Pakenham Bypass, which links to McGregor Road, will be used by 32,000 vehicles per day by 2021.
Currently 15,000 motorists are thought to be using the single lane thoroughfare each day.
