Improving Old Dandenong Road (Stage 2)

This consultation closed on Sunday 1 December.

As part of our commitment to reduce traffic speed and increase safety for all road users, we've identified the section of Old Dandenong Road (between Warrigal Road and Bourke Road) as needing traffic management improvements.

In July 2022, we asked the local community to provide feedback on our initial concept plan - with overall support for the improvements. Since then, we have consulted with the Department of Transport and Planning, the Transport Accident Commission, and Public Transport Victoria and undertaken an independent road safety audit of the proposed road measures.

Based on the feedback provided, we've amended the plans to include several additional measures, including:

• Reducing the speed limit on Old Dandenong Road from 50 km/h to 40 km/h (between Warrigal Road and the east side of Columbia Street) to improve safety where bicycle riders share the road with motor vehicles.
  
  
• Installing an extra speed hump to the east of Axford Crescent to reduce speeds and improve safety in the area where cyclists share the road with motor vehicles.
  
  
• Adding speed cushions at the island 'refuge' crossing near Washington Drive and close to bus stop crossing points near Barkers Street and Roche Court to improve safety for pedestrians accessing the bus stops or cyclists accessing the two-way bicycle path.

These amendments are in addition to the measures initially proposed in 2022. View the concept plans or review a summary below:

• Extending the shared path on Warrigal Road along the south side of Old Dandenong Rd, reaching up to Belgrave Close so pedestrians and cyclists can use the same pathway safely and conveniently.
  
  
• A central island 'refuge' crossing near Belgrave Close to help bicycle riders and pedestrians safely cross the road near the shops. The island and speed cushions (approaching the crossing) will help reduce vehicle speeds and enhance safety.
  
  
• Traffic calming measures between Tecoma Court and Columbia Street, including threshold treatments at Tecoma Court and Abercrombie Street and a speed hump west of Axford Crescent. These measures will slow down traffic, ensuring a safe environment for all road users.
  
  
• A central island 'refuge' crossing near Columbia Street will assist cyclists and pedestrians in safely crossing the road near the bus stop. The island, along with speed cushions on the approaches to the crossing, will help reduce vehicle speeds and enhance safety.
  
  
• A two-way bicycle path along the north side of Old Dandenong Road between Columbia Street and Bourke Road will allow cyclists to travel in both directions while being protected from motor traffic by a concrete separator. The path will be approximately 3m wide, with a 0.4m barrier with vehicle access gaps to properties. On-street parking will remain on the south side of the road (except at bus stops) but not on the north side. Parking lanes will be marked with line markings, and painted outstands near intersections will improve visibility for vehicles entering from side roads. At bus stops on the north side, the bicycle path will be routed behind the bus stop and shelter to maintain safety and accessibility.
  
  
• Landscaping at the intersection of Washington Drive and Old Dandenong Road will narrow the exit onto Old Dandenong Road (whilst maintaining all turning movement), enhancing crossing opportunities, improving sight lines, and providing a connection for cyclists to access the new two-way bicycle path.
  
  
• Closing the central median opening on Washington Drive at Montrose Street.
  
  
• Landscaping will be added to the northwest side of Barkers Street, at its intersection with Old Dandenong Road, to narrow the road width where pedestrians need to cross, making it easier and safer for them to cross.
  
  
• Opportunities will be explored to plant new vegetation in the landscaped areas, enhancing the overall environment and providing additional greenery.
  
  
• At Belgrave Close, cyclists can travel north along Abercrombie Street to Centre Road, allowing access to routes in Monash. This route will be marked with road signage to assist with navigation. View the map.

Project background

Before the Dingley Bypass opened in 2016, Old Dandenong Road (between Warrigal Road and Bourke Road) was part of the arterial road managed by VicRoads (now the Department of Transport) and accommodated high volumes of 'through' traffic. Following the opening of Dingley Bypass, the road carried much lower traffic volumes (mostly local traffic) and, consequently, was reclassified as a local Council road. The local community has since raised concerns that drivers using the road are still driving at unsafe speeds, as the width creates the perception of a high-speed road.