Blackspots to get upgrade

By Tania Martin
THREE accidents hot spots in the hills will get a $1.6 million safety upgrade.
The cash will go towards helping prevent accidents on Monbulk Road, near Belgrave.
Slip repairs and safety improvements on Mt Dandenong Tourist Road in Tremont and Ferny Creek are also part of the package.
Mr Pallas said $680,000 would go towards shoulder sealing and improvements to the alignment of Monbulk Road.
“This will help provide a safer drive on a road with plenty of hills and often windy conditions,” he said. “The improvement works will also improve the skid resistance of the road and reduce the potential for wet-weather crashes at this location.
Monbulk MP James Merlino said $390,000 would be spent on improving Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, Tremont, including sealing road shoulders to tackle the high number of run-off road crashes.
Since December 2008, there have been 18 casualty crashes between Jones Avenue and Churchill Drive, with eight resulting in serious injury.
“These works will go a long way towards reducing the number of accidents into the future,” Mr Merlino said.
Guard rails will be installed at two locations along the popular tourist route.
In Ferny Creek, the State Government will spend $535, 000 on a retaining wall along Mt Dandenong Tourist Road.
Mr Merlino welcomed the road safety upgrades and said they were a great result for motorists and local communities in the area.
“Providing safer roads contributes to economic development, enhances safety and ensures our roads continue to service the community well into the future,” he said.
The upgrade is expected to start early next year.