Projects

New safer speeds on Centre Road

We’re making Centre Road safer for all road users by reducing speeds during busy school times in Oakleigh South and Clarinda.

Project status:

Underway

Project Update – November 2024

We’re introducing a 40km/h school speed zone on Centre Road between Cameron Avenue, Oakleigh South and Melaleuca Drive, Clarinda.

The speed limit will be reduced from 60km/h to 40km/h during school drop off times (8am to 9:30am) and pick up times (2:30pm to 4pm).

When to expect us

Works are expected to start from 26 November 2024 and finish in late February 2025. Crews will work progressively along Centre Road to install the new electronic and static speed signs; one location at a time.

Works will mainly take place during the day, between 9:30am and 3:30pm, Monday to Friday, and between 7am and 5pm, Saturday.

Some works will need to be completed at night to minimise disruption to traffic. Nearby residents will be notified in advance of any night works.

No works will occur over the Christmas and New Year period. Crews will return to site from Monday 13 January 2025.

Please note that dates and times are subject to weather and the contractor’s program of works.

What to expect

During works, you can expect:

lane closures on Centre Road with traffic management in place to guide motorists through work areas.
a reduced 40km/h speed limit to keep crews and road users safe.
short periods of low to medium noise and dust around work areas.
some vegetation trimming on nature strips may be required to allow clear visibility to the new signs.
business and residential access will be maintained at all times.
pedestrian access will be maintained.

Please note, the electronic signs need to be connected to power to become operational and there can sometimes be a delay between their installation and switch-on.

What we’re doing

To improve safety on Centre Road, Oakleigh South and Clarinda, we’re introducing a 40km/h school speed zone between Cameron Avenue and Melaleuca Drive during busy school start and finish times.

We’ll be installing electronic and static speed limit signs to alert drivers to the 40km/h school speed zone. Installing electronic speed limit signs (ESLS) in this busy school precinct will direct drivers to slow down to 40km/h during peak periods of pedestrian movement.

Nine powered speed limit signs will be installed along a 1.56 km section of Centre Road, close to South Oakleigh Secondary College, Oakleigh South Primary School and Clarinda Primary School.

The electronic signs will display the speed reduction, from 60km/h to 40km/h:

between 8am and 9:30am
between 2:30pm and 4pm

At all other times, the signs will return to displaying the regular 60km/h speed limit, replacing the existing static signs along this stretch of road.

Safe school speed zone

Image of a map showing the locations of the electronic speed signs along Centre Road in Oakleigh South and Clarinda

View a larger version of the map

Background

Pedestrians are completely exposed to the full force of a crash, making them some of the most vulnerable road users.

In the five-year period ending 31 December 2022 there were 13 crashes recorded on Centre Road between Elora Road and Melaleuca Drive, including six 'serious injuries' crashes - with four involving pedestrians.

Introducing a slower speed limit during periods of high pedestrian movement will reduce the likelihood of collisions, and if a collision does occur, will help limit the severity of injuries.

This $1.25m project is funded through the Victorian Government’s Metropolitan Road Upgrade Program.