The Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale will install safety measures at a deadly intersection in Byford after the second fatal crash in less than 12 months happened last week.
The measures were expected to be installed at the intersection of Abernethy and Hopkinson roads early next week and will include rumble strips, painting the word ‘caution’ on the road and installing signs.
In the meantime a temporary electronic sign has been erected on Abernethy Road warning motorists to slow down.
Shire president John Erren said the changes were being made to address driver behaviour.
“The intersection has been audited on multiple occasions and it has been assessed to be of good order and good nature,” he said.
“Please understand that this intersection has some real risks about it due to driver behaviour.”
The changes would be a temporary solution ahead of the southern extension of the Tonkin Highway, which would likely see that portion of Abernethy Road closed.
It was unclear when Tonkin Highway would be extended from Thomas Road to Mundijong but Member for Darling Range Tony Simpson said a business case for the project had recently been completed.
“This intersection is quite an unusual one in the fact that it’s at the end of a large metropolitan urban road in Byford,” he said.
“It’s our quickest route to the end of Tonkin Highway so it’s always going to be a major intersection.
“Obviously the problem for the shire is that they don’t want to spend too much money because we know eventually the Tonkin Highway will come through and the end of this road will change at the same time.”
He said even one death at the intersection was one too many and applauded the shire’s response to it.
