Holloway Road, Croydon North, upgrade and reconstruction works

This segment of Holloway Road is currently constructed to a semi-rural standard, which includes a sealed carriageway, partial crushed rock shoulder, and open grassed table drains to capture and convey storm-water runoff. The road condition has been assessed to be in poor condition, as evident by the extensive road surface cracking and ongoing edge breaks, indicating the need for reconstruction.

Holloway Road is classified as a higher order road, functioning as a direct east-west link and carrying roughly 3,500 vehicles per day. It is recommended that Holloway Road is upgraded to an urban road standard, which includes kerb and channel, a footpath on the south side of the road and underground stormwater drainage.

Key elements include:

• Road reconstruction and widening to seven metres
• Kerb and channel on both sides of the road
• Vehicle crossing reconstruction
• A footpath on the south side of the road
• Traffic calming treatments
• Underground storm-water drainage
• Anticipated tree removal requirements
• Associated road line-marking

A new concrete footpath is proposed on the south side of Holloway Road for the full length of the road (Yarra Road to Lyons Road). While facilitating safer pedestrian access for the residential properties fronting Holloway Road, the path will also provide a strategic east-west pedestrian link in accordance with Maroondah City Council’s Principal Pedestrian Network (PPN).

As part of the design development, Council engaged an external traffic engineering consultant to assess the road and provide recommendations on road safety and operational improvements. The assessment found the road would benefit from isolated treatments at key locations, to encourage lower speeds and provide a safer environment for motorists and pedestrians.

These treatments, as shown in the preliminary design plans include:

• A splitter island at the intersection with Yarra Road.
• Double dividing line road markings along the bend on the eastern approach to the Nangathan Way intersection.
• Central traffic island on the western approach to the Nangathan Way intersection.
• Alterations to the Melbourne Christian Fellowship access, including a central traffic island and independent right turn lane.
• Speed limit reduction to 50km/h between Lyons Road and Neuparth Road, including complimentary stamped asphalt thresholds.

The recommendation to reduce the speed limit between Lyons Road and Neuparth Road considers the higher density of access points, the more developed residential environment, and the steep decline leading to the Lyons Road intersection. The proposed speed limit change will be subject to approval by the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP).

The preliminary design plans identify trees and vegetation that may be impacted by the works. The level of impact and subsequent tree removal requirements will be confirmed during the next stage of the design. This will include an arboricultural impact assessment undertaken by a qualified arborist.