Works to remove the notorious bottleneck at the intersection of Kings and Taylors Road in Delahey will start this month with the removal of the existing roundabout.

Member for Sydenham Natalie Hutchins, Member for Koroit Marlene Kairouz and Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman today announced the start of a $7.3 million upgrade to help ease congestion and improve safety for all drivers.

The Kings and Taylors intersection is one of Brimbank’s busiest with more than 35,000 vehicles using the intersection every day and long queues at the roundabout prompting some drivers to take unnecessary risks.

Works will include replacing the existing roundabout at the intersection with traffic lights, dedicated turning lanes on all approaches, new pedestrian operated crossings, bicycle lanes and extended footpaths.

An innovative 75mm high raised platform will further improve safety by reducing the speed of vehicles as they approach and travel through the intersection.

As well as major safety improvements, the upgrade will see better traffic times and reduced queuing, particularly during the busy morning and afternoon peak periods.

In the five years to July 2016, there were 18 crashes at the intersection resulting in five serious injuries.

Works are expected to be completed by late 2017.

Quotes Attributable to Member for Sydenham Natalie Hutchins

“We’re putting people first by getting rid of this frustrating bottleneck and making it easier to go through the intersection without getting stuck in traffic.”

Quotes Attributable to Member for Koroit Marlene Kairouz

“This upgrade will improve traffic flow and make it safer and easier for people to move through the Kings and Taylors intersection.”

Quotes Attributable to Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman

“There are few things more frustrating to drivers than being stuck in traffic and that’s why we’re working to fix this intersection.”