Ballina to get more traffic lights
New traffic lights being installed at two intersections on Kerr Street in Ballina are designed to cope with the future growth in traffic, Ballina Council’s Group Manager for Civil Services, John Truman, said.
Mr Truman said the council is doing the construction work for the two sets of lights on behalf of Mirvac, the developer of Ballina Central.
“The RTA, with Council, has looked at future population and traffic projections for Ballina over the next decade and determined that traffic lights would be needed at several intersections on Kerr Street,” Mr Truman said.
“After looking at the existing roundabouts and taking into account future vehicle estimates, it was decided that lights would be necessary to allow traffic to flow smoothly.
“While delays on Kerr Street are currently mainly confined to peak holiday periods, in several years traffic is expected to increase substantially.
“The RTA determined the roundabouts would not cope with the projected increases in traffic volumes, even after the Ballina Bypass is completed.
“The Ballina Bypass will take heavy vehicles and cars using the Pacific Highway out of Ballina, but the popularity of the town as a place to live, shop and visit is expected to continue to increase and this will naturally generate more traffic.
“One set of lights is currently being installed at the intersection of Bangalow Road and Kerr Street, replacing the roundabout.
“Another set will replace the roundabout at the intersection of Kerr Street and Fox Street. The projects include upgrades to the traffic lane arrangements which will provide significant benefits to motorists.
“The new lights will work with an existing set of traffic lights which was installed several years ago to ease congestion caused by vehicles entering and leaving the Ballina Fair and Ballina Central shopping centres.
“When all the lights are operational they will provide safe pedestrian access at three points on Kerr Street.”
Currently there is only one pedestrian crossing linking the shopping centres.
“The Ballina Council apologises for delays. The road construction staff are doing their best to ensure the delays are minimal,” Mr Truman said.
The lights at Bangalow Road and Kerr Street are scheduled to be operational by early August 2009.
