The panel beater’s honeypot may soon be at an end with the traffic lights on Eelup roundabout, at the entrance to Bunbury about to be turned on next week.
The government is calling it a “signalised roundabout”, but in fact it was a signal failure as a roundabout, and with lights, it is a roundabout no more. According to the Road Traffic Code, it is illegal to stop on a roundabout, whereas it is illegal not to stop at a red light, so remember, it is not a roundabout.
Transport Minister Troy Buswell admits the intent is to increase safety and efficiency at one of the worst crash sites in WA. The Minister said the Eelup roundabout had the highest number of crashes in Western Australia, with more than 650 crashes over the past five years, costing the community an estimated $11million.
“Bunbury’s notorious Eelup roundabout will now be safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians with the addition of traffic signals, a third traffic lane and a slip lane for southbound traffic,” Mr Buswell said.
Stage Two of the upgrade will involve construction of a flyover, with timing for this to be determined by traffic and residential growth, as well as construction of the Bunbury Outer Ring Road and further stages of the Port Access Road.