Blast for bridge proposal

Fears of more congestion

A KEY community group believes the creation of another coastal Barwon River crossing would only worsen traffic problems.

State Liberal MP Simon Ramsay has called for a feasibility study into the prospect of a second bridge connecting Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove.

“Barwon Heads is choking to death,” Mr Ramsay has said.

“It is becoming very urgent.”

But the Ocean Grove Community Association has joined counterparts in Barwon Heads in rubbishing the idea, arguing it will exacerbate current issues.

“This will . . . only create additional traffic through Ocean Grove, as people will use the third bridge as access from the west to north Bellarine, Queenscliff and (the) ferries,” chair Michael Harbour said.

“This is not the way forward and we should be looking at long-term solutions.”

Mr Harbour said investments in the Geelong Ring Road extension (Bellarine Link) and the Grubb Rd/ Tuckfield St precinct were better options.

VicRoads is working on a planning study for the fifth and final section of the ring road, which connects Baanip Boulevard and Portarlington Rd.

Mr Harbour said the $350 million extension would reduce through traffic accessing the existing bridge, which previous studies had put as high as 30 per cent of all users.

“Both federal and state governments should then commit to actually funding the construction of the Bellarine Link,” Mr Harbour said.

“Construction works should commence by 2022.”

Ocean Grove’s residential traffic woes would also be tackled by upgrades to Grubb Rd and Tuckfield St, he said.

Mr Harbour said there were other methods to help with traffic besides duplication.

“It could be in the form of improved carriageways with appropriate turning lanes at intersections and decent road bicycle lanes.

“This option could then leave 20-30m in the road reserve to create a walking track with rest stops, together with a bicycle track for children and families.”

The OCGA also wants to see the speed limit on the bridge reduced from 60km/h to 40km/h, and the Bridge Rd pedestrian lights replaced with a signalised crossing during the peak tourism period.

Their concerns follow Bar- won Heads Association’s rejection of the second bridge idea.

BHA president Sandy Gatehouse said summer traffic woes were a fact of life on the coast, and she warned that another bridge would affect the natural environment and village character.

“There’s only so much development that this type of area can adapt to,” she said in January.

“From an environmental perspective, the idea is a disaster.”