URGENT UPDATE: Albury councillor Kylie King narrowly escaped a serious accident at a busy intersection in Thurgoona, prompting immediate action from local authorities. During a council meeting on Monday, July 28, King recounted her near miss at the intersection of Shuter Avenue and Thurgoona Drive, which is now set to receive traffic lights to enhance safety.
King described the harrowing moment on July 23 around 5 PM, stating, “I nearly T-boned a car running the gauntlet coming out of Shuter Avenue.” She emphasized the importance of preventative measures, saying, “If it wasn’t for both cars that actually stopped, we would have been another statistic.”
The intersection has long been a trouble spot, congested with traffic from the nearby Thurgoona Plaza. Councillors unanimously committed $200,000 for designing an upgrade, choosing traffic lights over a roundabout after careful consideration of community feedback.
City projects service leader Andrew Lawson explained that traffic lights would improve traffic flow more effectively than a roundabout, which could exacerbate congestion. He noted, “Installation of a roundabout would shorten that length even further, where this [traffic lights] provides greater queueing distance.”
The council’s decision comes in light of increasing development in the area, with businesses like Coles moving in. Deputy mayor Jess Kellahan stressed the need for ongoing traffic monitoring around the Thurgoona commercial precinct, highlighting the evolving nature of local traffic patterns.
Councillor Phil Bullivant expressed his commitment to prioritizing the needs of Thurgoona residents, while councillor Geoff Hudson supported enhancing pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.
This upgrade aims to significantly improve safety and traffic conditions at a critical junction that has seen its share of accidents and near misses. As developments unfold, local officials and residents alike will be watching closely to ensure a safer, more efficient traffic environment in Thurgoona.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as Albury City Council continues to address community concerns.
