The Andrews Labor Government is providing $30 million to make travel along the Great Ocean Road and through the Otways safer and more reliable for locals and tourists.
Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney today announced safety improvements on both the Great Ocean Road and the Forrest-Apollo Bay Road, funded by $25 million for the Great Ocean Road and $5 million for the Forrest-Apollo Bay Road.
The $5 million worth of improvements on Forrest-Apollo Bay Road will see new slow vehicle turnouts built along the road, enhancing safety and journey reliability, and improve travel times.
Improving this alternate access route from the Princes Highway to the Great Ocean Road will ease the frustration drivers feel when caught behind slow moving vehicles.
The importance of the Forrest-Apollo Bay Road was made especially clear last year when the Great Ocean Road was severely impacted by the natural events of summer bushfire and exceptional spring rain.
Safety is a major concern on this stretch, with the number of vehicles using this road doubling in the peak season.
Over the past five years, 48 crashes have been recorded on the road, including one tragic fatality and 22 serious injuries.
Improvements in road safety barriers and the construction of shoulders should significantly reduce injuries stemming from crashes.
Community consultation will be undertaken next year to determine the best locations for the slow vehicle turnouts.
Improvement works on the Great Ocean Road will occur in a number of locations between Torquay and Allansford.
The Great Ocean Road is a major tourist attraction for domestic and international visitors to Victoria, but it also is an essential transport route for local residents. For some communities, the Great Ocean Road is their only access road.
Complementing the program of maintenance work being currently undertaken, this package of works will fund further improvements including intersection upgrades, road structure and surface repairs to improve the road and ensure its longevity for visitors and local communities.
This $60 million works program is joint-funded between the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments as part of the Victorian Infrastructure Package.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“I’m proud to be a part of a Government that’s stepped up and is providing the roads that our region
desperately needs.”
“The Forrest-Apollo Bay Road is a vital alternate route to Apollo Bay and south western Victoria.
It needs to be safe and reliable.”