Black Forest Drive safety improvements

Update - December 2024

Thank you for your patience while we completed safety improvements  on Black Forest Drive, between Macedon and Woodend.

Major works are now complete, including the installation of continuous bike lanes from Macedon to Woodend and intersection improvements at key locations. 

Our crews will return briefly in January to complete some minor works including the remaining sections of green surface marking and the addition of audio tactile edge marking between New Gisborne and Woodend.

Image: Completed works on Black Forest Drive.

What have we delivered  

Safety improvements have included:

• changing the lane configuration to one lane in each direction
• installing dedicated cycling lanes in each direction 
• installing a painted centre median for vehicle turning lanes and pedestrian refuges 
• resealing the road surface and new line marking 
• installing audio-tactile line marking on the centre and edge line marking 
• sealing the entrances to some higher risk side roads, which will mean much less gravel and debris in the path of cyclists from vehicles exiting those roads 
• installing new street lighting 
• improvements to the Calder Freeway overpass section to improve safety for bike riders, where there is no room to accommodate the dedicated cycling lanes.

These changes will ensure everyone can move around safely, including cyclists and pedestrians sharing the same road with cars, vans, motorcycles, trucks and buses.

Image: Completed works on Black Forest Drive.

Speed limit changes

To compliment safety improvement works on Black Forest Drive several speed zone changes have been implemented, including:

• South of Woodend, the 60km/h zone at South Road has been extended by approximately 160 metres. This improves safety by slowing vehicles on approach to the new pedestrian crossing and bus stops near the South Road intersection.
• The speed from Willeys Road to south of Nursery Road has been reduced from 80km/h to 60km/h. This improves safety as vehicles cross bicycle lanes to enter and exit the Calder Freeway. 
• The speed on the exit ramps from the Calder Freeway has been reduced from 80km/h to 60km/h, improving safety as vehicles enter Black Forest Drive.

It is estimated the speed changes will add less than a minute to journey times between Woodend and Macedon on Black Forest Drive.

Please look out for the new speed limits and travel safely through the area.

Safety benefits for all road users 

Motorists 

• The 3-metre-wide centre median will cater for safer dedicated turning into side roads and driveway entrances, avoiding the risk of rear end collisions.
• Audio-tactile line marking will be installed on the centre and edge line marking to reduce the risk of head-on and run-off-road collisions by warning motorists if they veer out of their lane.
• Resealing of the road surface and new line marking will provide a smoother and safer journey. 
• New lighting installed at some intersections will improve visibility. 

Bike riders 

• The change to lane configuration will increase the space between the driving lane and cycling lane through a two-metre-wide bike lane and 0.5 metre marked separation.
• This means that motorists and bike riders will be more effectively separated with more space for motorists to correct themselves if they veer out of their lane.
• Audio-tactile line marking will also be installed on the centre and edge line marking to reduce the risk of collisions by warning motorists if they veer out of their lane and into the bike lane. 

Pedestrians 

• Pedestrian refuges will be installed at key locations along Black Forest Drive, to assist those using the bus stops, particularly school children, to cross the road safely. 
• Black Forest Drive is a wide road and difficult for pedestrians to navigate. Pedestrian refuges will improve visibility and provide a protected central area between traffic lanes.  

Get in touch

Email: [email protected]

Call:    133 778 - Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm