It is more than 1300 days since the traffic lights near SAM were put up, and they are still dull and lightless.
The News reached out to Regional Roads Victoria to find out more.
First contact was made on Tuesday, September 17. Questions were sent about the timeline for the traffic lights and the reason for the delay.
In the time it took for a response to be sent, a traffic accident occurred at the intersection with a man in his 40s sustaining upper body injuries.
The response given by Department of Transport and Planning Hume and Loddon Mallee executive director Anthony Judd didn’t answer any of the questions asked.
“We’re working with Greater Shepparton City Council on planning for the activation of the traffic signals and thank the community for their patience while this process continues,” he said.
This response took nine days.
The News has asked specifically about the timeline again and has not received a response.
In an interview on One Fm 98.5, Greater Shepparton City Council chief executive Fiona Le Gassick said council was not in charge of those lights.
“They are actually the responsibility of the state government,” she said.
“The state government are going to be looking at some interim measures before they can turn those lights on to increase safety in that particular intersection.”
Timeline of the Wyndham and MacIntosh Sts traffic lights and The News
September 16, 2020: The News publishes an article about the council meeting where a $3.1 million contact was awarded for the traffic lights.
Mayor Seema Abdullah said works would start in October and were expected to be finished by January.
She said the upgrades would improve safety along the busy road.
“We’re hoping to have this ready to coincide with SAM opening, and allow better access to SAM, the lake and caravan park,” she said.
SAM opened on November 21, 2021.
October 14, 2020: Article printed about the construction of the lights beginning.
February 3, 2022: Article published about the lights not being turned on over a year after they were put in.
In the article, it said the hold-up involved rail and transport authorities, as well as Greater Shepparton City Council, according to Department of Transport Hume regional director Steve Bowmaker.
“Making the traffic lights operational is complex due to co-ordination with the nearby rail crossing, and we will continue to work with Greater Shepparton City Council and the rail authorities to progress this matter,” Mr Bowmaker said.
Council did not respond to questions about the outstanding issue other than to direct The News to contact V/Line or Regional Roads Victoria.
June 7, 2022: Another article published.
A council spokesperson said in the article that while the infrastructure upgrade had been completed, the signalling system that co-ordinated the traffic lights and the level crossing boom gates would not be completed until stage three of the line upgrade.
“Council will continue to advocate to the responsible authorities to ensure the works are completed as soon as practically possible and, in the interim, work with Regional Roads Victoria to advocate to ensure ongoing safety around the intersection,” the spokesperson said.
Stage three was targeted for completion in late 2023; however, civil construction wasn’t completed until 2024.
February 7, 2024: Article published on The News website.
Rail Projects Victoria made contact with The News to discuss the lights.
“Rail Projects Victoria is supporting the Department of Transport and Planning in co-ordinating the delivery of Shepparton Line Upgrade stage three works with other important projects, such as the Wyndham St intersection upgrade,” a spokesperson said.
“Installing new traffic lights near any rail level crossing requires upgrades to train signalling systems to ensure the lights are safely co-ordinated with the activation of the level crossing.”
It has now been over 1300 days since the traffic lights first displayed ‘not in use’ signs and no timeline has been made public.