Please note: this is an archived news article release

This article was published on Friday, 9 May, 2014. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Potential close of Andrew Fairley Avenue Report 2 Findings

Posted on Friday 9th of May, 2014,

The Stage 2 Traffic Study Report on the potential closure of Andrew Fairley Avenue has been released with the report detailing the implications for traffic flow in the areas surrounding SPCA if the road were closed.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS - STAGE 2 TRAFFIC REPORT INTO THE POTENTIAL CLOSURE OF ANDREW FAIRLEY AVENUE

The report has been prepared by Traffic Works Pty Ltd, a Melbourne based specialist traffic engineering firm who have done a variety of similar studies for Greater Shepparton City Council, VicRoads and other Councils in the past.

The report was received on 5th May. Council staff have reviewed the report and had ongoing discussions with Traffic Works to enable Council Engineers to develop and estimate the costs of road and intersection improvements arising from the report and to allow Council Officers to brief Councillors which occurred last night - Thursday 8th May - at 5.00pm. It has been released to the public at the earliest opportunity on 9th May.

The report builds on the findings of the Stage 1 report and reflects amended manual traffic counts and observations taken to supplement and, in some cases, correct modelled data for traffic flows in and around the area impacted by the proposed closure of Andrew Fairley Avenue.

The report includes an analysis of pedestrian and cyclist movements based on counts taken after the School Holidays on 22nd April 2014. These counts indicated that 38 pedestrians and zero cyclists used Andrew Fairley Avenue during the morning peak and 29 pedestrians and 7 cyclists used the road during the PM peak. Should the road be closed, these pedestrians and cyclists would need to use the Fryers Street / Thompson Street crossing.

Table 2 on page 6 of the report indicates that Council roads in the vicinity of Andrew Fairley Avenue now carry traffic volumes ranging from 3,500 to 12,000 vehicles per day. With the proposed closure of Andrew Fairley Avenue, these volumes are predicted to increase to 4,900 - 12,500 per day in the short term rising to 5,500 - 14,500 per day over 10 years. The Midland Highway carries 15,500 vehicles per day in this vicinity now and will grow to 22,000 over the next 10 years with the proposed closure.

The centralisation of SPCA's operations to the Shepparton site has a slight reduction in overall SPCA generated traffic, primarily due to a reduction in inter-factory traffic movements.

HIGH PRIORITY WORKS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOWS

The report indicates that traffic queuing at the Hawdon Street / New Dookie Road / Balaclava Road / Verney Road roundabout is already an issue, particularly during the PM peak and requires a revised intersection treatment now to improve traffic flows.

The proposed closure of Andrew Fairley Avenue will make the existing poor conditions worse and hence the upgrade of this intersection is identified as a high priority. The recommended intersection redesign includes signalling to improve traffic flows at this intersection and others in the nearby vicinity.

The Fryers Street / Thompson Street intersection at the PM peak perform reasonably well at present but will reach theoretical saturation point should Andrew Fairley Avenue be closed. The report indicates that realigning the railway crossover and this intersection to a T junction would significantly improve traffic flows. Council Engineers have determined that such a realignment, in conjunction with signals at this intersection and the Fryers Street / Railway Parade intersection (currently a roundabout), would be a preferable treatment. Synchronising the signals at both these intersections will significantly reduce queuing and improve traffic flows at the AM and PM peaks.

The report indicates that traffic flows would be improved if clearway conditions were introduced on parts of Mitchell Street, Florence Street and Wheeler Streets at certain times of the day.
The report indicates that traffic flows on Lockwood Road will benefit from changed parking arrangements within the next 10 years. Council Engineers have determined that clearway conditions would be appropriate at certain times of the day.

The estimated cost of works to address the high priorities is $2.5m.

MODERATE PRIORITY WORKS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOWS

The Lockwood Road / Midland Highway intersection operates satisfactorily at present and immediately post closure but will perform poorly within 10 years. Council Engineers have determined that it is a high priority to widen the Highway to allow for a left turn lane into Lockwood Road to improve traffic flows.

Council Engineers, having reviewed the report and making their own independent observations, have identified other high priority intersection improvements:

Old Dookie Road / Mitchell Street - installation of traffic signals linked with the existing Old Dookie Road / Wheeler Street signals
Old Dookie Road / Lockwood Road - widen pavement on south-east corner for a left turning lane
New Dookie Road / Wheeler Street - install traffic signals and modify intersection layout. Consider synchronising with signals at the new signalled intersection of Hawdon Street / New Dookie Road / Balaclava Road / Verney Road

The estimated cost of works to address the moderate priorities is $0.8m.

FUNDING FOR WORKS

Should Council make a decision to close Andrew Fairley Avenue, and in accordance with the offer made by the Deputy Premier on his recent visit to Shepparton, Council will approach the State Government for funding to meet the costs of all works arising from the decision.

Council is already in detailed negotiations with State and Federal governments over Council's existing plans for an upgrade of Old Dookie Road from Wheeler Street to the Shepparton Alternative Route (Doyles Road) as part of a package of freight improvement works. If funded, this package would also see upgrades to roundabouts on the Alternative Route at both Old Dookie Road and New Dookie Road as well as some other smaller projects.

Council and SPCA will work together through both supplier agreements, education and heavy vehicles permits, to ensure heavy vehicles travelling to and from the factory use only revised, agreed and approved heavy vehicle routes to minimise impacts on other road users.

INFORMATION SESSION

Traffic Report 2 on Potential Closure of Andrew Fairley Avenue

The public are invited to attend an Information Session to hear a summary of the Andrew Fairley Avenue Traffic Report 2. A representative from Traffic Works, the authors of the report, will assist with the presentation. This is an opportunity to hear recommendations for traffic management should the decision be made to close Andrew Fairley Avenue.

Date: Wednesday 14th May
Time: Doors open at 6.00 pm for a 6.30 start
Venue: Eastbank, Welsford Street, Shepparton

Questions in writing will be taken up until 12 noon on Wednesday 14th May via council@shepparton.vic.gov.au or in hard copy sent to 90 Welsford Street, Shepparton.

Due to the complex nature of the Report questions will not be taken from the floor but those submitted in writing prior to the deadline will be answered during the presentation.

Please include your name, address and either email or phone number. Questions of a similar nature may be answered collectively. Questions in writing are also invited after the presentation and will be responded to in writing.