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Lives at risk due to ministerial incompetence

Gippsland's Darren Chester criticises State and Federal Transport Ministers for delaying Traralgon intersection upgrades, risking lives, despite securing $4 million for traffic lights and improvements.

By news@gippsland - 26th July 2024 - Back to News

Lives are being put at risk in Traralgon because of the incompetence of the State and Federal Ministers for Transport, according to Member for Gippsland Darren Chester. Despite repeated attempts to bring forward works to finalise the Bank St-Princes Highway intersection upgrade, Mr Chester said nothing has happened to install the planned traffic lights.

Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says lives are being put at risk in Traralgon because of the incompetence of the state and federal ministers for transport

Traffic lights delayed

Mr Chester said, "There's been yet another crash, this time involving a bus and a car, and still we wait for the state government to finish the project. It's a disgrace that motorists are exposed to major risks every day, and emergency services personnel are placed in danger every time there's an accident. We've been waiting more than 18 months for the promised traffic lights to actually be installed."

"I secured $4 million for this project from the previous federal government, and the project was meant to include traffic lights, intersection upgrades and improvements to the adjoining railway crossing. It's a complete farce that more than 18 months have passed since the roadworks were completed but the traffic signals still haven't been installed," he said.

Project delays unexplained

Mr Chester said he had received no explanation from State Minister Melissa Horne or Federal Minister Catherine King as to why it was taking so long to finish the project, despite writing to both Ministers. "The road works were completed in December 2022, but we still don't have traffic lights installed and synchronised with the nearby railway signals.

"The state government has lowered the speed limit to 60 km/hr, which is an admission of its failure to finish the job and create a safer intersection for all road users," Mr Chester said.

Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com