A WAGGA man who ploughed through the city’s worst roundabout a decade ago has joined calls to finally see it fixed.
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William George drove through the “potholed to all hell” Dobney Avenue and Pearson Street roundabout – known to locals as the Bunnings roundabout - when he spun out and smashed through the fence to land floating on a drain on January 30, 2006.
Nearly 10 years to the day, the roundabout claimed another near victim when an elderly man lost control and ploughed into the same fast-flowing stormwater drain on Wednesday.
The junction was voted Wagga’s worst intersection by Advertiser readers in March.
The already congested junction has been made worse by Bunnings installing a private driveway into its store, which has created a confusing fourth entry and exit.
Mr George has demanded the roundabout be upgraded before it claims a life.
“It’s a major transport hub through there,” Mr George said. “They’ve done re-surfacing there, but it’s so highly used that the road is always in disrepair. They’ve got to do something. What is the cost of a human life?”
Mr George said upgrading the road itself and closing off the Bunnings driveway to force customers to use the Saxon Street entrance would eliminate danger.
Council acknowledged the roundabout is a “longstanding issue”, but is looking at solutions under its Integrated Transport Strategy.
“A big part of that brief is to look at hotspots in the city for traffic management, and Glenfield Road, Dobney Avenue and Pearson Street area is a key part that is getting a specific lens over it,” Council’s Manager Strategic Planning Liz Rankin said.
“It is recognised in council as a major project. It is very important to get this right.”
Consultants and staff are currently canvassing ways to upgrade the roundabout. A final recommendation will be made in June or July.
Bunnings General Manager (Property) Andrew Marks said the warehouse that opened in 2009 was approved as per the development application.
“Both roundabouts were in place prior to Bunnings Warehouse Wagga being built,” Mr Marks said.
“There are a number of factors that may have contributed to an increase in traffic in the area, including growth in housing and population in the Wagga area.”
