Too many lives have been lost at the corner of Southern Cross and Florey drives in Holt.

After moving to west Belconnen a few years ago, I quickly learnt to avoid turning right on to Southern Cross Drive at the notorious T-junction at the end of Florey Drive.

The first time I drove to the Kippax shops on a Saturday afternoon I was stuck for several minutes waiting for simultaneous breaks in eastern and western flowing traffic to turn the corner.

The solution was to turn left next time and take a slightly longer route.

Neighbours warned me that the intersection was an accident hot spot but there are still occasions when I risk taking a right-hand turn.

The development of New MacGregor and Dunlop has increased the traffic flow at the intersection and made the danger worse.

Speed is one of the main risks at the intersection but so is congestion if a driver gets frustrated and pulls out of Florey Drive on to Southern Cross when it isn't safe to do so.

It was obvious that something needed to be done and traffic lights were the solution the ACT government chose. In recent weeks the preparatory works have been underway.

Concrete safety barriers associated with the construction work obscured floral tributes to people who have died at the intersection.

Fresh flowers were being left at the scene yesterday.