The Balaclava Road / Hawdon Street / New Dookie Road / Verney Road intersection will be upgraded from a roundabout to a signalised intersection to reduce congestion and improve safety, particularly during peak demand periods.
The existing Balaclava Road Bus Interchange is located to the west of this intersection along the northern side of Balaclava Road. This Bus Interchange accommodates six bus bays and serves a number of public and private schools within the Shepparton and Mooroopna urban area.
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Cr Kim O’Keeffe said the decision was a sensible one which ensures the safety of school children while important works are undertaken on the intersection.
“Council is mindful that road works can be an inconvenience for commuters and adding the busy bus movements during school drop off and pick up times into the mix would have added to the congestion to this intersection,” said Cr O’Keeffe. “Finding a safe alternative location for buses and school children was imperative.”
Director Sustainable Development Geraldine Christou said the upgrade of the existing intersection will make it difficult to accommodate a number of bus movements during the construction phase but also during the operational phase of the upgraded intersection. “We need to relocate the Bus Interchange before the construction works commence,” said Ms Christou.
“Council held two stakeholder meetings in late 2017 regarding the need to relocate the existing Bus Interchange. The preferred location for the relocation of the Bus Interchange was Nixon Street along the northern side between Harold and Skene Streets, on the southern side of Deakin Reserve.”
“Nixon Street is a viable location for the relocation of the Bus Interchange with seven bus interchange bays and one bus stop possible. Vehicles can still park in the interchange bays on weekdays, outside of school bus drop-off and pick-up times, and can park on weekends all day,” said Ms Christou.
“We have also investigated the provision of additional car parking in the immediate area and 38 centre-of-the-road car parking spaces, including provision for street trees, could be created in Skene Street between Nixon Street and Fryers Street.”
Both Draft Concept Plans will be available for public comment from 26 February to 26 March and any feedback, comments and submissions received during the public consultation will be considered for the final Concept Plans for adoption and implementation by Council. The work will be undertaken early in the 2018/2019 financial year.
Land owners and occupiers of land along Nixon and Skene Streets will be directly notified to inform them of the Draft Concept Plans and provide them with the opportunity to attend one-on-one workshops with Council officers.
