Barricades blocking motorists from turning at an accident-prone intersection in Salamander Bay have been removed but a more permanent deterrent has been put in place.
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Right-hand turns at the Salamander Way and Town Centre Circuit intersection, closed by Port Stephens Council in February following a series of crashes, cannot be made after work was done to extend the concrete island in the centre of the road.
“The current configuration was recommended as the most effective method to address the historical crash type at the intersection while having the least impact on traffic flow and access to the centre,” a council spokesperson said.
“This is a semi-permanent solution until funding becomes available to allow for the intersection to be upgraded.”
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The intersection at Salamander Bay Square:
The Port Stephens Local Traffic Committee made its recommendations about the intersection at its April meeting.
Long-term plans for the development of the remaining land surrounding Salamander Bay Square will likely include a new intersection to the west of Community Close on Salamander Way.
This will allow for the historically problematic Salamander Way intersection to be modified or closed.
In discussing a solution for the intersection, the traffic committee noted that there were a number of drivers undertaking unsafe and illegal u-turns a short distance past the blocked off intersection rather than accessing the centre using the Bagnall Beach Road entry at the traffic signals.
“This was a concern initially and there was some evidence of it happening,” the council spokesperson said.
“However, driver behaviour has improved as people have become used to the new access arrangements.”