Fix ‘horrendous’ Belmont road
RESIDENT CALLS FOR ACTION ON WORSENING CONGESTION
A GEELONG woman is calling on the state government to fix a “dangerous” stretch of busy road plagued by congestion.
Resident Melissa Smith said the traffic around south Belmont had become increasingly difficult to navigate along Settlement Rd.
“Exiting drivers are battling a constant stream of traffic,” Ms Smith said.
“There’s been a reduction in the speed limit, but it’s not enough to let traffic turn in.”
She said the suburban island, which was largely confined between Barwon Heads Rd, the Surf Coast Highway and Settlement Rd, was incredibly difficult to exit safely.
Another particular corner of concern is the intersection of Settlement Rd and Francis St, which she called an accident waiting to happen.
“Something needs to be done,” she said.
“This particular section of housing has no decent exit.”
Ms Smith called on the state government to install a slip lane or lights at the intersection behind the Kmart complex.
She said the situation had become worse in recent years owing to heavy development in areas such as Waurn Ponds and Armstrong Creek.
“It has become horrendous over the last couple of years,” Ms Smith said.
“We need to make it safer for Belmont residents living in the area.”
A Department of Transport spokesman said the state government was looking into options to improve the busy stretch, but did not specify what was being investigated.
“We are investigating ways we can improve safety along Settlement Rd at Belmont that best accommodates for all residential and commercial traffic,” he said.
“We’ve spoken to the community to understand concerns and feedback better and boost safety across several intersections and arterial roads in the area.”
The highly anticipated Barwon Heads Rd duplication is expected to add four new lanes between Settlement Rd and Reserve Rd, remove a crossing at Marshall and upgrade two intersections.
A review of the project’s business case from Infrastructure Australia released last year revealed that once completed the project would produce travel savings equivalent to $356m.
“The business case identifies that some sections of Barwon Heads Rd are already at, or exceed, capacity,” the report says.
“This creates considerable congestion and delays on Barwon Heads Rd and elsewhere on the road network.”