Crossing busy Heatherton Road in Dandenong is now safer for students who attend a local specialist school thanks to a vital pedestrian upgrade.

Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams, said new pedestrian lights have been installed and are now operational outside Emerson School, improving safety for students and the community.

As well as the new lights, a ‘Keep Clear’ road marking at the entry point to the school, ‘No Stopping’ signs on either side of the lights, and brighter public lighting were added as part of the upgrade.

A detector loop has also been installed at the exit to the school that will make it safer for cars and school buses to turn out onto Heatherton Road.

The new pedestrian crossing will assist students and other school community members, including parents, to cross busy Heatherton Road and have easier access in and out of the school.

Pedestrians are the most vulnerable road user group, making upgraded infrastructure vital to ensure pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists can safely share the road network.

This project is just one that is keeping all students and the community safe as part of the Victorian and Australian Government’s $19.5 million Pedestrian and Safer Schools Initiative.

The location of the pedestrian signals is in line with planned upgrades of Emerson School, with the Andrews Labor Government investing $15.6 million to fund stage one of the Heatherton Road Campus.

Quotes attributable to Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams

“We must keep local school children safe near our roads with new and improved infrastructure, especially near high-volume arterials – this pedestrian upgrade will greatly benefit the community at Emerson School.”

“We are making schools, shopping strips and busy intersections safer for vulnerable road users thanks to investment through the Pedestrian and Safer Schools Program.”