New P-turns open as a part of Streamlining Hoddle St project
Melbourne motorists face a big change at one of the city’s busiest intersections following the introduction of a new road rule – the P-turn.
On Monday, the Streamlining Hoddle Street project released an update announcing the opening of the new P-turns at the Johnston and Hoddle Street intersection.
VicRoads has used extra signage, lights and road markings to guide drivers through the new ‘P-turn’ at the busy intersection.
VIDEO: Introducing P-turns on Hoddle Street (VicRoads YouTube)
Starting this week, any motorists wanting to turn right from Hoddle Street or Johnson Street need to drive through the intersection before pulling into new turning lanes further ahead.
They then have to make a U-turn, driving back towards the intersection before turning from the left.
“These P-turns will take some time getting used to, after all we have mastered hook turns for some time, so I think we will be equal to this task,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
“This means that traffic going straight on is given priority given the volume of traffic that’s moving up and down Hoddle Street.”
In peak times, the queues to cross the renowned intersection can stretch back for more than 300 metres. It’s hoped the Hoddle Street works will reduce those to less than 100m.
Currently, the state’s only other P-turn is on Cranbourne Road in Frankston. The council originally lobbied against it but after years of using it the mayor now says he’s all for it.