Six large River Red Gums have been saved through further design refinements on the northern section of the Yan Yean Road Upgrade Stage 2.
Protection of the large River Red Gums that define the area has been a key focus through the project planning. Now VIDA Roads has achieved another significant win in protecting the trees that matter the most to the community. The 6 large River Red Gums, estimated to be over 500 years old, located opposite the intersection of Activity Way and Yan Yean Road will be retained in the updated design.
This is in addition the 2 heritage-listed River Red Gums that have been protected in the design of the Doctors Gully Road and Yan Yean Road intersection.
There have also been changes to the design of the Doctors Gully Road and Yan Yean Road intersection, with fewer lanes in and out of Doctors Gully Road. The intersection will now include a single eastbound lane on Bridge Inn Road, 2 westbound lanes and a single right turn lane from Doctors Gully Road, and a single right turn lane on Yan Yean Road.
The updated intersection design better reflects the rural feel of Doctors Gully Road while still allowing for new lanes to be added if they’re need in the future.
Fewer lanes also means older and larger trees and vegetation around the intersection can be retained.
The smaller area also means less construction activity at the intersection, which will minimise disruption and allow the works to be delivered more efficiently.
To make it safer and easier to access Doreen Primary School, a new shared walking and cycling path will be built on Doctors Gully Road, which will connect with the existing footpath that extends to the school. VIDA Roads is working with Nillumbik Shire Council to design and fund a Council-delivered upgrade to the existing path.
Further refinements have also been made to the Activity Way and Yan Yean Road intersection. The left slip lane from Yan Yean Road to Activity Way has been replaced with a standard left turn lane. This will make it safer for pedestrians to cross Yan Yean Road and access the business precinct, and will mean the area is less likely to be used as a rat run to get to Bridge Inn Road.
The P-turn previously planned for Doctors Gully Road will now be incorporated into the Activity Way intersection to allow heavy vehicles to U-turn safely to travel south. This design improvement will also retain more trees in the area.
Major construction on the project started in late November.
The Doreen Recreation Reserve has closed to the public including access to the tennis courts, car park and oval so that construction of the new intersection can be carried out safely.
Meanwhile, Big Build Roads has selected McConnell Dowell as the preferred contractor to design and build the southern section of the project, between Orchard and Kurrak roads.
The Yan Yean Road Upgrade – Stage 2 will:
- build a new lane in each direction between Kurrak and Bridge Inn roads
- replace the roundabouts at Orchard and Bridge Inn roads with new traffic lights
- install new traffic lights at North Oatlands Road, Bannons Lane, Jorgensen Avenue and Activity Way
- build new roundabouts at Heard Avenue and Youngs Road
- upgrade the signalised intersection at Ironbark Road
- install new signalised pedestrian crossings south of Worns Lane and north of Youngs Road
- build new walking and cycling paths along both sides of Yan Yean Road.
Fin out more information about the Yan Yean Road Upgrade.