Council to introduce temporary speed reduction at Irrewarra intersection
Colac Otway Shire Council will temporarily reduce the speed limit at an Irrewarra intersection to improve safety until it receives formal speed reduction approval from Regional Roads Victoria.
Council will install signs indicating the speed reduction as soon as possible in response to a report of another “near miss” despite the installation of rumble strips and new signs, and the removal of trees near the corner.
Council’s Infrastructure and Leisure Services General Manager Tony McGann said Council had completed initial safety upgrade works at the intersection of Warrowie Road, Ryans Road and McKays Road last month, with plans to install flashing lights by the end of May.
“Council had also been waiting for Regional Road Victoria approval to permanently reduce the speed limit approaching the intersection to 80 kilometres an hour,” Mr McGann said.
“However Council has confirmed that it is able to alter the speed limit at a hazardous road location for up to a year without RRV permission.
“We have started the process for a temporary speed reduction and intend to have new signs installed within the next two weeks, while continuing to push for permission from RRV so the speed reduction can be permanent.
“By the end of the month, Council expects the recommendations from a safety analysis will be complete including vehicle-activated warning lights on Ryans Road and McKays Road which will be installed as soon as the lights arrive.
“We will continue to monitor the intersection to gauge if the changes are successful in making the intersection safer by improving driver behaviour,” he said.
“Council is confident that RRV will approve a permanent speed reduction given the crash history at this intersection and we will look at further improvements if driver behaviour continues to pose a safety risk.”
