Coastal roads choked

Traffic soars on arterials

GRIDLOCKED coastal roads are causing chaos for drivers making their morning commute, with thousands of extra motorists packing key routes each day.

Latest VicRoads data shows more than 15,000 extra cars are squeezing on to three of the region’s major arterial roads each day, when compared to figures from five years ago.

Portarlington restaurateur Mitch Kovacic has noticed a “massive increase” in traffic levels on the roads, which he says are exacerbated by backto-back traffic works conducted during peak hours most days.

Traffic volumes on Portarlington Rd have risen 25 per cent, from 22,400 in 2012 to 28,000 this year, an increase Mr Kovacic says is clearly noticed by commuters.

The Indented Head resident said a commute that should take 30 minutes was being stretched to more than an hour — forcing commuters to take alternative routes.

“There’s definitely been a massive increase in the number of cars travelling on Portarlington Rd,” Mr Kovacic said.

“We left Indented Head at 7.50 the other morning and didn’t get to the centre of Geelong until after 9am.

“That is a commute that should take around 30-35 minutes.”

Mr Kovacic said he and many other motorists had been forced to change their route — opting to turn on to the Bellarine Highway to avoid gridlock.

But data shows the Bellarine Highway is also under growing pressure from rising traffic.

Its daily traffic rose from about 17,900 cars a day in 2012 to 20,600 in 2015. Now, an average of 22,300 cars use the highway each day.

Surf Coast Highway recorded similar levels, with nearly 5000 more cars now using the stretch each day than in 2012.

VicRoads south western regional director Mark Koliba said the authority was undertaking detailed investigations into both extending the Geelong Ring Road–Bellarine Link and duplicating Barwon Heads Rd to meet the needs of the “growing Geelong region”.

“We consistently monitor and evaluate traffic volumes across the region, to identify new and emerging needs and how we can address them,” Mr Koliba said.

Mr Kovacic said the increase had initially been gradual, but a growing number of housing estates on the outskirts of Geelong had led to a more rapid influx.

“We’d love a bypass,” Mr Kovacic said.

He said more regular ferry services to Melbourne could lead to a reduction in Melbourne commuters relying on the road network.