- Minister for Road Safety and the TAC
Travelling down to Anglesea is now safer with a package of upgrades complete on busy tourist routes Anglesea Road and the Great Ocean Road, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
The safety upgrades between Waurn Ponds and Anglesea include a wide centre line to reduce the risk of head-on crashes, roadside flexible safety barriers to prevent run-off-road crashes, rumble strips, and widened road shoulders.
In the 10-year period leading up to 2017, there were 89 serious crashes recorded on these roads between Waurn Ponds and Anglesea. Tragically, five people lost their lives and 32 people were seriously injured.
The road safety upgrades are part of the $1.4 billion Towards Zero Plan and being delivered in partnership between the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and VicRoads.
The Towards Zero Action Plan aims to reduce the number of lives lost to 200 or fewer and serious injuries by 15 per cent by 2020.
Further upgrades are being planned for the Bellarine Highway between Leopold and Wallington, and the Surf Coast Highway between Mount Duneed and Torquay including flexible safety barriers and rumble strip line marking being considered.
Regional Roads Victoria (RRV) will be talking to the community about these plans in coming months and this feedback will be used to inform the final designs.
As noted by Minister for Roads Jaala Pulford
"Already this year we have seen a tragic number of lives lost on our roads, which is why it's so important we invest in proven safety infrastructure like flexible barriers and wide centrelines."
"Anglesea Road and the Great Ocean Road are vital tourist routes to the Surf Coast and Otways – and these upgrades mean thousands of drivers will now have a safer journey each day."
Quote attributable for Member for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman
"Not only have we invested in this package of safety improvements, we're also planning and undertaking upgrades to Lower Duneed Road and the Surf Coast Highway near Torquay – because one life lost is one too many."
