Junction fix set

As police major accident investigators examined the scene where motorcyclist Armando Trimocha Jr was killed this month, plans were already afoot to remodel the intersection of Brand Highway and Barrett Drive.

Main Roads spokesman Dean Roberts said before Mr Trimocha was killed the intersection had been rated “low risk” with eight crashes in the past five years.

“Of these none were fatal or required hospitalisation, one required medical attention, six involved major property damage only (more than $3000) and one minor property damage only (less than $3000),” he said.

Nevertheless Mr Roberts said Main Roads had already consulted the City of Greater Geraldton to plan safety modifications and the designs should be complete by June.

“The proposed upgrade would include dedicated turn pockets and lane extensions within the current intersection configuration,” he said.

“During the planning works, the installation of a roundabout was ruled out due to the lack of space.

“The installation of an additional set of traffic signals was also ruled out as they would be too close to the existing signals at Ackland Road.”

City of Greater Geraldton chief executive Ross McKim said Mayor Shane Van Styn had expressed the City’s concern to Main Roads about the need to improve the area.

“While the Barrett Drive intersection sits in Main Roads’ jurisdiction, it does impact our local community and amendments to the area will impact existing City assets,” he said. “The City will work closely with Main Roads on any works to the intersection and will meet with Main Roads regularly during the design phase.

“We understand the community’s concern regarding this particular intersection and we will continue to work collaboratively with Main Roads to efficiently and effectively address this matter.”

Investigations into the fatal crash are continuing.

This story has been updated. An earlier version said safety modifications on the intersection would be complete by June. In fact it is only the designs which are to be ready by June.