DANGEROUS intersections in Maroondah are not being upgraded because of funding shortages.
The delay is leaving motorists and pedestrians in danger as two notorious 'black spots' remain unchanged.
On February 5, another accident at the Maroondah Highway-Oban Road intersection took place, following a pedestrian death there in November.
The intersection is regularly listed in the annual RACV red spot survey and is now listed as the number one intersection for traffic delays in Maroondah.
However, Maroondah Council says it cannot upgrade the intersection because it falls under the authority of VicRoads.
In 2009, the council wrote to VicRoads about the increased traffic volumes on Maroondah Highway and delays at the Oban Road intersection, largely as a result of the opening of Eastlink.
"The [2009] letter highlighted that traffic conditions could be improved if the traffic signals on Maroondah Highway were better co-ordinated during peak periods," Maroondah Council director of operations and infrastructure Trevor Welsh said.
This was echoed by mayor Nora Lamont last week. "It's just terrible. The lights go green and there's no combined arrow effect . . . a lot of people are crossing. It needs to be fixed," she said.
In 2011, the council again called for the installation of right-turn arrows on both Oban Road and Old Lilydale Road. However Mr Welsh said they were yet to hear back from VicRoads. "At this stage, council believes the review is still ongoing and has had no feedback from VicRoads about this proposal."
VicRoads regional director for metro south-east Peter Todd said it was constantly reviewing the intersection. While the intersection had experienced at least three casualties in the past five years — and was thus eligible for federal black spot funding — more dangerous intersections needed upgrading first.
"Proposals for safety improvement projects must be prioritised and evaluated on a statewide basis," he said. "Following a review of the Maroondah Highway-Oban Road intersection, there are now other safety improvement projects that, when evaluated, rank higher."
Another intersection — Bedford and Great Ryrie roads — has also been signalled as dangerous by the council and local residents.
Council applied for black spot funding for the intersection in 2006, 2007 and 2009 but was unsuccessful. The number of deaths at the intersection has reduced in recent years, and the council is no longer eligible for the funding. It said it cannot fund the almost-$1 million upgrade without help from the state or federal governments.