BID TO BANISH THE BOTTLENECK

Libs bid to banish our worst bottlenecks

GEELONG’S most congested intersections will be removed under a multi-billion dollar Coalition election commitment.

State Opposition Leader Matthew Guy will today announce a commitment to remove traffic lights and roundabouts at 55 of Geelong and Melbourne’s most congested intersections on arterial roads, if the Coalition wins the next year’s election.

The project will remove the choke points through grade separation — with underpass construction the preferred method — and is expected to cost between $4.1 billion and $5.3 billion. The project includes 35 intersections that have already been earmarked for removal, including those at Settlement Rd and Barwon Heads Rd, along with Torquay Rd and Settlement Rd.

“The two we’ve got in there are substantial bottlenecks now,” South Barwon Liberal MP Andrew Katos said.

“They’re two intersections that, with the further growth that will occur in the southern suburbs, they’re very critical congestion points that we need to get rid of.

“(On) Torquay Rd you have all the traffic that comes in from Torquay, Armstrong Creek and Grovedale, and it essentially comes to a choke point at Settlement Rd.

“Then we’ve got the other intersection at Barwon Heads and Settlement roads where all that traffic comes in from Armstrong Creek, Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Grovedale, Marshall, and again it comes to a choke point and it’s a very difficult intersection where you’re waiting a long time at those intersections.”

The project will aim to complete the grade separation of 30 intersections in its first term, with the remaining 25 to be completed the following term.

The final 20 intersections will be announced following community consultation.

“Removing these suburban congestion hot spots will make our roads safer and keep traffic flowing, which means less time spent sitting in gridlock and more time at home with family and friends,” Mr Guy said.

“It also means people like tradies, couriers and salespeople who use the roads to get between jobs, will be able to do so more quickly. That’s good for business and good for jobs.”

Under the proposals, a Coalition government would expand the role and operations of the Level Crossing Removal Authority, which would be renamed Intersection Removal Victoria.