$50m for Great Ocean Rd

A RANGE of works will begin on the Great Ocean Road next year under a $50 million joint Government project.

The five-year program contains more than 100 different improvements, including about 70km of road pavement upgrades, numerous bridge strengthening and barrier works and extra signage.

It is the second time the Federal and Victorian govern- ments have combined to fund a $50 million rollout of safety upgrades and renewal works, after a joint investment in 2014.

The new spend also follows an extra $53 million committed by the State Government last December to repair and protect against landslides on the coastal route.

Federal Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson said the works were expected to reduce the need for temporary closures, which have been more common since the devastating 2015 Christmas Day bushfire.

“While beautiful, the Great Ocean Road’s susceptibility to the combined effects of age, wind, climate and coastal air means adequate investment is needed to keep the route open — particularly during peak holiday periods and events such as bushfires and floods,” she said.

Local features of the new package include: PEDESTRIAN refuges at Kennett River and Skenes Creek; PEDESTRIAN improvements in Lorne and Apollo Bay townships; INSTALLATION of a bus stop at Moggs Creek (location and design to be determined); APOLLO Bay war memorial roundabout intersection upgrade; SKENES Creek intersection upgrade, including a new pedestrian bridge; ELECTRONIC speed limit signs at the Eastern View arch and turning lane/parking bay improvements; TURNING lane upgrades at multiple lookouts, including at Urquhart Bluff; WILD Dog Creek Road intersection upgrade; and NEW parking areas at Grey River and at Carisbrook Creek.

Labor’s Western Victoria MP Gayle Tierney said the works would also provide a significant economic boost.

“This investment will create local jobs, boost tourism in the south west and give communities along the Great Ocean Road a more reliable connection,” Ms Tierney said.

Construction is due to start early next year, with the overall project to be completed by mid-2022.

The first $50 million upgrade program delivered a range of projects, including a new bridge for Separation Creek and major road upgrades at Anglesea and Lorne.

There were six deaths from 213 recorded crashes on the Great Ocean Road in the five years to 2016.