The NSW government will be invest close to $400,000 to improve road safety at the Railway Parade intersection where Kogarah High School student Aneri Patel died on September 15.
Miss Patel, 16,died after a 4WD crashed into the O'Reilly & Daly Chemist at Kogarah, demolishing half the shop and seriously injuring two others about 11.30am.
The driver, Puipuimaota Galuvao was charged with several driving offences including dangerous driving occasioning death and driving without a licence, and is due back in Kogarah Court in November.
Following a comprehensive investigation, the Minister for Roads and Freight, Duncan Gay, announced this week a package of safety works to be delivered immediately; within six months and within 12 months.
Works in the immediate package include improved lane markings to better identify turning lanes; reducing the speed limit to 40km per hour to slow the traffic down in this high pedestrian activity area; and moving the bus stop where Miss Patel died.
The six month package will include installing a physical barrier from the corner extending south of Railway Parade and bollards on the intersection’s kerb.
Within 12 months there will be a review of the traffic signals at the intersection and any necessary adjustments made; a possible 10km per hour shared zone will be investigated; and bus timetables reviewed so that pedestrians don’t have to rush from one mode of public transport to the other and negotiate this busy intersection in a hurry.
Kogarah mayor Michael Platt welcomed the completion of the safety audit for the intersection and the announcement of the funding from Transport NSW in response to the audit.
He said the program would provide the community with peace of mind and an enhanced sense of safety in this locality.
Rockdale MP John Flowers was also pleased with the results.
‘‘I welcome the state government’s initiatives to improve pedestrian and vehicular safety at the intersection of Railway Parade and Montgomery Street, Kogarah, as a large number of residents in the Rockdale Electorate regularly use the 476-477 service from Kogarah,’’ he said.
See more in the Leader.
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