One of Ballarat’s most problematic turning lanes is set for a much needed extension in July.
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The right hand lane of the busy Sturt and Gillies intersection, heading west on Sturt Street, is set for a 60-metre extension through a VicRoads upgrade.
The right hand turning arrow in the lane is currently causing major congestion issues on the stretch during peak traffic times.
It is currently running on a temporary sequence, which has lessened the amount of time spent on green.
A VicRoads spokesperson said the pattern was changed for safety reasons while construction works were conducted in front of Ballarat High School.
“This was to ensure a safe flow of traffic while construction took place,” the spokesperson said.
The altered sequence means less motorists have been able to make the turn at once, leading to major blockages in traffic flow in peak morning and afternoon hours as well as during school times.
The sheer number of cars needing to turn results in the right hand lane of Sturt Street heading out of Ballarat becoming clogged, disrupting motorists heading straight, towards the Arch of Victory.
Traffic is often backed up as far as Russell Street near the edge of Victoria Park during peak time – some several hundred metres from the intersection.
The Courier tested the congestion level of Sturt Street earlier in the week during school leaving time.
The result was that it took seven minutes and 30 seconds to travel just one-kilometre down Sturt Street and make the right hand turn onto Gillies.
The turning arrow varies in its length of time on green, with as few as four cars allowed through in certain sequences.
In good news for the motorists, the light sequence will be returned to normal next week.
“A VicRoads contractor is scheduled to restore the regular traffic light sequence in the coming week,” the spokesperson said.
“(This is) ahead of construction starting in July on a longer right-turn lane into Gillies Street for traffic coming from the CBD.”
Earlier this year, locals in the area voiced their concerns over the congestion spilling off Sturt Street and into smaller side streets.
In February, concerned parents called for a school crossing to be installed in Eyre Street, behind St Patrick’s College.
Motorists are also known to bypass the section of Sturt Street during peak traffic times by using roads behind the school and cutting through Victoria park.
More than 20,000 vehicles pass through the Sturt and Gillies intersection daily.