Mount Dandenong Tourist Road safety improvements project
Location:
Tremont, Sassafras
Type:
Road
Status:
Complete
We’ve improved safety for all road users on Mount Dandenong Tourist Road.
Project update - May 2022
This project was completed in May 2022 and was fully funded by the Australian Government. We sincerely thank all residents, businesses and road users for their patience throughout construction.
Photos
Image below: New sealed shoulder in Tremont
Image below: New sealed shoulder, smoother road surface and drainage improvements in Ferny Creek
Image below: Cyclist using the new sealed shoulder in Sassafras
Image below: New cyclist rest area near One Tree Hill Road and The Crescent
Bus stop upgrades
The upgrade of two bus stops near Olivette Avenue is underway, with new bus shelters, pedestrian fencing and lighting to be installed. These works are funded by the Victorian Government and expected to be complete by end of May.
About the project
This iconic Victorian road provides access to multiple townships, serves as a popular training route for professional and amateur road cyclists, and is the key link to the region’s many parklands, hiking trails and attractions.
To make things safer for all road users on Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, we’ll be improving selected uphill sections of the road to create more space for cyclists to ride clear of through traffic.
The selected sections we’ll be improving along Mount Dandenong Tourist Road are:
- Tremont between Janiesleigh Road and Churchill Drive
- Sassafras/Ferny Creek between One Tree Hill Road and The Crescent.
We’ve selected these sections based on feedback from key stakeholders, results of technical investigations, and to avoid significant environmental and cultural heritage impacts.
We appreciate the high value that the local community places on the character and environment at Mount Dandenong and as such, no trees will be impacted by this project.
What we're doing?
Tremont between Janiesleigh Road and Churchill Drive
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Works include:
- constructing a 1.5m wide sealed shoulder along uphill sections of the road, to create more space for cyclists to ride clear of through traffic
- improving existing drains and installing new drains that are designed to better manage stormwater flow
The Victorian Government will also be delivering an upgrade of the Olivette Avenue and Devils Elbow bus stops to improve safety and accessibility for all users. This upgrade will be built to accessibility standards and include pedestrian fencing, retaining walls, pram crossings, and tactile ground surface indicators.
Map below: Works within the Tremont section
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Image below: Artist’s impression of the Tremont section near 1000 steps carpark
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Sassafras between One Tree Hill Road and The Crescent
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Works include:
- constructing a 1.5m wide sealed shoulder along uphill sections of the road, to create more space for cyclists to ride clear of through traffic
- undertaking a minor re-alignment of the road within the existing road space to further protect the natural environment
- resurfacing approximately 1.3km of Mount Dandenong Tourist Road between One Tree Hill Road and Grand View Grove in Sassafras
- improving existing drains and installing new drains that are designed to better manage stormwater flow
- moving the Hilton Rd bus stop approximately 15m north, to provide buses with adequate space in the bus bay
- upgrading The Crescent bus stop with additional tactile paving to improve safety and accessibility for all users
- rebuilding impacted property driveways for residents.
Map below: Works within the Sassafras section
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Image below: Artist’s impression of the Sassafras section near Clarke Road
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Image below: Artist’s impression of the Sassafras section between Hilton Street and Alice Street.
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Cyclist rest areas
We will be installing new cyclist rest areas near the intersections at One Tree Hill Road and The Crescent.
These locations have been chosen based on feedback received from key cycling groups about how cyclists travel along Mount Dandenong Tourist Road.
These rest areas will provide cyclists with a safe place to rest and recharge, or wait for others, before continuing their ride.
Cyclist rest areas will include sealed surfaces, benches, workstations, and bike racks.
Image below: Artist’s impression of cyclist rest areas
Artist’s impression of the cyclist rest area at One Tree Hill Road
Artist’s impression of the cyclist rest area at The Crescent
Community feedback
We held a community information session at Ferny Creek in December 2019. The session was attended by approximately 60 members of the local community, from all walks of life. To assist attendees with understanding the proposed treatments, we displayed maps, planned designs, photos and artist impressions.
What we heard
We wanted to hear about the experience of locals and visitors to better understand what was most important to them and to inform the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road safety improvement project. We also wanted feedback on the proposed cyclist rest areas and the cyclist warning signs.
Members of the community told us that they felt it was very important to maintain the character of the Dandenongs. The local community expressed a strong interest in improving safety for all road users, and a strong interest in making sure cyclist rest areas included features such as benches and/or tables.
In keeping with the community’s interest in maintaining the character of the Dandenongs, we have worked to ensure that trees are retained and community views are incorporated into our plans.
We also asked attendees about cyclist activated signs. These signs detect the presence of cyclists and display caution messages for drivers to look out for cyclists. Of those who filled in the feedback survey, only 33 per cent were supportive of the cyclist activated signs, whereas 47 per cent were neutral and 20 per cent were strongly against the signs.
After further investigations on the feasibility of cyclist activated signs, we will not be progressing with these as they are not suited to the particularities of Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, and do not have strong community endorsement, as outlined above.
Project benefits
This project will:
- improve safety for all road users
- reduce the risk of crashes
- reduce congestion for local communities and commuters
- create a more enjoyable experience for all road users on a scenic and iconic road.
Contact us
For more information about this project, please get in touch.
Email: [email protected]
To ensure the safety of all workers and the community, all construction and maintenance work undertaken will operate under a COVIDSafe Plan.