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Roundabout for black spot

Staff ReporterFremantle Gazette

The North Lake Road and Bibra Drive intersection has long been a no-go zone for many motorists, ranking among the 10 worst intersections for traffic congestion in a public poll held by the RAC in 2012.

City officials last year submitted a roundabout proposal to Main Roads WA, hoping to garner funding for the project from 2014-15 state and national Black Spot Programs.

Cockburn engineering and works director Michael Littleton said the intersection qualified as a black spot because 44 crashes were recorded there in the five-year period to the end of 2012, including 12 incidents where someone was injured.

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‘The predominant crashes at the intersection were rear-end crashes (18), followed by right-angle type crashes (14),’ he said.

‘The proposed treatment would help reduce the frequency and severity of crashes at the intersection and would help reduce the delays being experienced by motorists turning in and out of Bibra Drive.’

In a further boost, Mr Littleton understood the project had made the cut for the draft State program. That means if Transport Minister Troy Buswell signs off on it, then two-thirds of the estimated $450,000 project cost would be paid for by the State Government.

‘Potentially this project could attract Federal black spot funding, which means that it would be paid for by the Feds in full but the City is awaiting an outcome from the Commonwealth regarding this,’ he said.

‘The approved Black Spot Projects for both the State and National programs get announced in May.’

Cockburn MLA Fran Logan said he was pleased something was being done to increase safety at the intersection, but queried whether traffic lights would be more appropriate.

‘If Main Roads and the council believe a roundabout will be as safe and keeps the traffic moving then obviously I will support this option,’ he said.