Drivers will have more go time at green lights when Victoria’s first continuous flow intersection opens at Punt Road and Swan Street this Sunday 17 March at 10:00am.
The major redesign of one of Melbourne’s busiest intersections has moved right turns away from the intersection and will help to relieve queuing caused by turning traffic, relieving congestion and making travel times more reliable.
Intermittent lane closures will be in place from late on Friday 15 March as preparations to open the intersection get underway. Crews will then work through the night from 8:30pm on Saturday through to 10am Sunday to implement the new turning arrangements.
Drivers are encouraged to avoid the intersection wherever possible with delays of up to 10 mins expected on Friday and Saturday evening.
From 2:00am Sunday, traffic controllers will help direct traffic through the intersection as the new changes progressively come into effect.
Once the intersection is operational, southbound drivers on Punt Road turning right will travel on new lanes onto Olympic Boulevard dedicated to citybound traffic.
To further assist drivers with navigating the new arrangements, temporary blue and pink line markings have been installed along with corresponding colours on directional signs.
Drivers on Swan Street wishing to turn right onto Punt Road will follow blue lines past the intersection and onto Olympic Boulevard to make a p-turn to travel north towards Bridge Road.
Drivers wishing to turn right from Punt Road onto Swan Street will also be guided by pink line marking onto Olympic Boulevard to a new p-turn to continue east into Richmond.
A new series of driver point of view videos have also been released today to show turning movements and lane selection on approach to the intersection.
The Andrews Labor Government’s Streamlining Hoddle Street project is on track for competition later this year, with works continuing to build a new accessible tram stop on Swan Street and landscaping of surrounding areas.
As stated by Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
“From Sunday morning new temporary coloured line marking and directional signs will guide hundreds of thousands of drivers through Victoria’s first continuous flow intersection.”
“We’ve made these changes at one of Melbourne’s busiest intersections to give drivers on Punt Road and Hoddle Street more go time at green lights.”
“We’re asking drivers to avoid the Punt Road and Swan Street intersection on Saturday evening where possible while our crews complete the finishing touches to this brand-new intersection.”
