Labor promises lights at risk spots
TRAFFIC lights will be built at a notorious Ocean Grove intersection as part of a $5 million Andrews Government election commitment.
The pledge will pay for traffic lights at Orton St and Presidents Ave, and Hermsley Rd and Curlewis Rd in Curlewis.
Bellarine MP Lisa Neville said the Government will direct Regional Roads Victoria to begin designs for the intersection upgrades in December if re-elected.
“I have heard what the community has had to say about safety at these intersections. Regional Roads have done a safety audit to get this right, and now a re-elected Andrews Labor Government will fix them,” Ms Neville said.
“While others talk about infrastructure, Labor delivers.
“We’ve fixed the Melaluka Rd intersection, work is under way on the Drysdale Bypass and, if re-elected, we’ll get on with these intersection upgrades.”
The Coalition announced earlier this year that the Orton St intersection will undergo a million-dollar safety upgrade if it wins government.
The announcements come after local motorcycle rider Tyler Peace was seriously injured in a collision with a car at the Orton St intersection in April.
Mr Peace, who is still un- dergoing rehabilitation since the accident, is calling for a swift safety upgrade at the intersection to prevent others going through the pain he has endured.
“It’s not a very good intersection (in terms of safety), all the locals know to avoid it,” Mr Peace said earlier this year.
About 2300 people have signed a petition calling for a safety upgrade at the Orton St-President Ave intersection.
Petition leader Kelli Finlayson said the cause had drawn support from people who holiday on the Bellarine.
“It is an outdated intersection for the amount of traffic that uses it,” Ms Finlayson said.
“If there was traffic lights at the intersection I don’t think Tyler’s accident would have happened.
“Fingers crossed whoever is elected keeps their promise.”
Two crashes at the intersection in the past five years have resulted in serious injuries.