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New Roundabout To Boost Safety On Surf Coast Highway

11 October 2018

Early works are underway on a new two-lane roundabout to improve safety at the intersection of the Surf Coast Highway and South Beach Road in Torquay.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan met with workers on site today and said the upgrade will reduce the speed of drivers approaching the intersection and prevent people from cutting into other lanes.

The roundabout will be the first of its kind in Victoria, built with physical lane separators and kerbing designed to separate traffic on approach to the intersection.

There has been a history of crashes at this intersection, including the tragic loss of one life.

Most of incidents involved drivers turning right from South Beach Road onto the highway or turning right from the highway into South Beach Road.

The new four-leg roundabout will allow drivers to better select a safe and appropriate gap to cross the intersection.

The upgrade will include dedicated bike lanes, including bicycle hook turn bays to improve safety for cyclists travelling to and from Geelong, Armstrong Creek and Torquay.

The Andrews Labor Government is delivering the $2.5 million upgrade through the Transport Accident Commission’s Safe System Road Infrastructure Program, with the Surf Coast Shire also contributing $800,000 towards the project.

Design and land acquisition for the new roundabout is now complete, with service relocation and vegetation removal underway this month, paving the way for major construction to begin after summer.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan

“This roundabout is the first of its kind in Victoria – designed to make this notorious site safer for everyone travelling between Geelong, Armstrong Creek and Torquay.”

“We know how dangerous this intersection is – that’s why we’re not wasting a minute making the Surf Coast Highway safer for everyone who relies on it every day.”

“Whether it’s fixing local country roads or upgrading dangerous intersections, we’re getting on the work to get locals where they need to go safer and sooner.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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