The Victorian Government has announced a protected intersection will be built in East Melbourne under their $3.25 million package of cycling and pedestrian upgrades in Melbourne’s CBD.
The protected intersection at Lansdowne and Albert Streets will feature a continuous and separated path for cyclists as they approach, move through and leave the intersection.
Kerb islands on each corner of the intersection will provide protection for cyclists from passing vehicles as they wait to turn right.
Traffic lights will be adjusted to provide priority to cyclists and pedestrians and a head start on vehicles, with coloured bicycle lanes and improved line marking to improve visibility and safety.
Other planned cycling safety upgrades across the CBD include a protected bicycle lane at the Albert and Gisborne streets intersection; a separated cycling lane on Albert Street between Gisborne and Lansdowne streets; and a separated cycling lane on Lansdowne Street between Victoria Parade and Albert Street.
There will also be wider footpaths and signal improvements at the Lansdowne Street and Victoria Parade intersection and a raised platform at the St Andrews Place and Macarthur Street intersection.
More than one million Victorians ride a bicycle every week, however cyclists are 34 times more likely to be seriously injured than someone in a car, and four-and-a-half times more likely to lose their life in a crash.
Minister for Roads and Minister for Road Safety and the TAC, Jaala Pulford, said, “Cyclists have told us that competing with cars and trucks can be dangerous and stressful and that’s why we’re investing in these important safety upgrades.”
“Boosting safety at one of our busiest intersections will encourage more people to get on a bike more often and keep active,” MsPulford said.
The works are expected to be completed by the middle of 2020.
