Main Ridge: Tucks Road & Shands Road - blackspot

• Project typeRoads, Streetscapes and Footpaths
• Project value$714,350
• Completion Date30 June 2027

A community drop-in session has been scheduled for Thursday 17 September 4.30pm – 6.30pm at Red Hill Mechanics Hall (19/23 Mechanics Road, Red Hill). We would like to invite you to come and discuss the project if you have any further questions.

Consultation closes Friday 18 September 2026, if you cannot make the drop-in session and would like your questions answered or feedback included, please email trafficrequests@mornpen.vic.gov.au or call 5950 1537.

The Tucks Road and Shands Road Black Spot Project have been funded for construction by the Federal Black Spot Program.  We aim to improve safety and reduce the potential for crash occurrence and severity.

Both Tucks Road and Shands Road have sloping geometry, while bends along Shands Road restrict sight distance to approaching traffic for motorists exiting Tucks Road. This limited visibility, combined with the high entry speed from Tucks Road, has been identified as a major safety concern. An independent Road Safety Audit (RSA) undertaken during the application phase confirmed the intersection as high-risk and recommended a range of safety improvements.

Based on the RSA recommendations, the project scope will include:

• Installation of a raised intersection with raised safety platforms on Tucks Road approaches.
• Installation of Raised Reflective Pavement Markers (RRPMs).
• Relocation of speed limit signage to suit the new layout.
• Sealing of the southern leg of Tucks Road near the intersection.
• Provision of additional public lighting to improve safety and visibility.

The project will implement these measures to reduce future crashes and improve the safety and functionality of the intersection, providing significant benefits for all road users.

Current project stage

Detailed design is ongoing, and the draft detailed design along with a functional plan is attached below. The design aims to minimise impacts on the surrounding landscape while ensuring compliance with standards and achieving the desired road safety outcomes.

Lighting

We have carefully considered potential lighting impacts throughout the design process.  

The proposed intersection lighting will use lower colour temperature LED luminaires. This is consistent with State Government practices for environmentally sensitive locations. The lights produce a warmer, softer light with reduced blue light content compared with conventional cool-white lighting.  

This approach helps minimise light spill and glare, while reducing potential impacts on surrounding fauna and the night-time environment. The lighting will still provide the level of visibility required to support safer travel through the intersection for all road users. 

Environmental impacts

Unfortunately, two trees must be removed as part of the project to allow for the new drainage installation at the intersection. One tree is confirmed to be dead by our Arborist team, and the other tree has been hit by a truck in the past as it leans towards Tucks Road and is considered a road safety concern. Council will arrange for a wildlife handler to be present during the removal. 

Updates will be made to the page as the project progresses. 

Related documents

Functional plan(PDF, 10MB)

Detailed design(PDF, 12MB)

Page updated: September 2026