Single lanes for deadly road
A 4KM section of Thompson Road in North Geelong — the scene of six road-related deaths last year — will be dropped to one lane in each direction under a government plan to improve safety.
The section, from Cox Road to Victoria Street, is currently two lanes and this week received $4.6 million from the state and federal governments.
Thompson Road and the Midland Highway in Bannockburn were two of five roads in the region that received part of the $20 million in state and federal government funding.
A state government spokesman said the multi-milliondollar upgrades would save lives.
“We’re currently finalising the planning and construction time frames for these projects so works can begin as soon as possible,” the spokesman said.
In response to a spate of right-turn and rear-end crashes, Thompson Road between Morgan Street and Separation Street was last year reduced to one lane each way, and a dedicated turning lane was created.
That move will now be mirrored for the entire stretch between Corio and North Geelong, which is used by 15,000 vehicles a day.
Right-turn lanes at the intersection of Darebin Street and pedestrian upgrades will also be made.
On Thursday, the majority of public opinion seemed to be against the changes.
“Sounds like a whole lot of people taking more risks to pull out on to a congested Thompson Road,” Michael Sellars posted on the Geelong Advertiser’s Facebook page.
Peter Hutchinson posted: “They cannot do that, it will create a traffic jam daily, and also create accidents even more with residents trying to get in and out of their own driveways.”
Meanwhile, a roundabout at the intersection of the Midland Highway and Clyde Road in Bannockburn, which caters for 6500 vehicles a day, will also be built.
The $6.5 million price tag for the work is expected to include the cost of acquiring land if needed, relocating underground services, drainage and lighting upgrades, an intersection realignment, rebuilding the road surface and construction of the roundabout.
Golden Plains Shire Mayor Owen Sharkey said the funding would help maintain safety on the route used to travel between Geelong and Ballarat.
“This intersection has long been a safety concern for local residents, who will be pleased to hear this project is one step closer to reality,” Mr Sharkey said. “Improving transport connectivity across Golden Plains Shire, and from the shire to Ballarat and Geelong, is vital to meet the demands of our communities and is essential to managing the growth of the region.”