$1.4 million safety upgrade for Surf Coast Highway in Belmont

25 Oct 2013

The Surf Coast Highway in Belmont is set for a $1.4 million safety upgrade under the Safer Road Infrastructure Program, including new traffic signals at Kidman Avenue, Victorian Assistant Treasurer, Gordon Rich-Phillips, Member for South Barwon, Andrew Katos, and Federal Member for Corangamite, Sarah Henderson announced today.

“We have had successive, record low road tolls in Victoria and we need to keep working hard to ensure that we stay a world leader in road safety,” Mr Katos said.
“Improvement works will occur over the next three years between Kidman Avenue and Settlement Road, including the extension of the right-turn lane to Settlement Road.”

“The right-turn lane for northbound traffic at the Settlement Road intersection has long queues, particularly in the morning peak.”
“Over 20,000 vehicles per day travel the Surf Coast Highway so it is important to create further opportunities for right turning motorists, which will improve the traffic flow and reduce rear end crashes,” Mr Katos said.

The major works will be focused around Kidman Avenue, with new traffic signals and innovative measures being investigated to better prepare motorists to stop and slow at the intersection.

Ms Henderson said that she had been approached by members of the Oberon High School community and local residents some time ago in relation to their road safety concerns. She also said that there has been a history of crashes at this site resulting in serious injury.

“During the election campaign, I took up the fight for the installation of traffic lights on behalf of local residents. This is a great win for the people of Belmont and the Oberon High School community,” Ms Henderson said.

“There have been seven casualty crashes at the Surf Coast Highway and Kidman Avenue intersection in the five year period from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2012.”

“This upgrade will improve safety on the Surf Coast Highway and Kidman Avenue intersection and deliver a safer crossing for pedestrians.”

Victorian Assistant Treasurer, Gordon Rich-Phillips, said SRIP is funded by the Transport Accident Commission with VicRoads managing the program.

“Funded through the TAC Safer Road Infrastructure Program (SRIP), this unprecedented $1 billion investment, an increase of more than 30 per cent a year on the previous road safety program, is the centrepiece of the Coalition Government’s Road Safety Strategy 2012-2022 to reduce the road toll,” Mr Rich-Phillips said.

“Victorian high-risk road locations will significantly benefit from the upgrades, providing the local community with specific and immediate safety benefits towards reducing road trauma.”