Ms TIERNEY (Western Victoria) — My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Roads, Terry Mulder, and is in relation to Breakwater Road in Geelong. The minister would be aware of the $65 million upgrade and realignment to Breakwater Road in Geelong, which was one of many road infrastructure investments the previous government funded in Victoria. The project included a new bridge over the existing rail line connecting South Geelong station to Marshall station, as the original crossing under the railway line was constantly subject to flooding from the Barwon River. The new double-lane bridge and new road alignment also removed the height restriction that was in place from the original rail underpass crossing.
The new road also includes dedicated bike lanes and a pedestrian path on the north side of the bridge. The project was well received by the community, resulting in an instant increase in usage and opening up opportunities for commercial vehicles to access Geelong’s east and the Bellarine Peninsula. However, the increased usage has resulted in issues a little further up the road at the roundabout intersection of Boundary, Fellmongers, Townsend and St Albans roads. This 5-point-entry roundabout is only one lane, and vehicles using this intersection are experiencing significant congestion during the morning and afternoon peaks.
The estimated cost for the upgrade is $10 million, and VicRoads advises that there is no low-cost option to reduce the congestion. As Geelong continues to grow, this route will increasingly be used by larger trucks as it is a key freight route, providing access from the west to the east.
I know the City of Greater Geelong has recognised this as a major issue and is lobbying the state government to fund this intersection upgrade. I urge the minister to look upon this project favourably and provide the $10 million required to upgrade this intersection.