Dangerous Torquay intersection set for $2.5m safety overhaul

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13 May 2016

The Transport Accident Commission today joined VicRoads, Surf Coast Shire and the State Government to announce funding for a new roundabout at a dangerous Torquay intersection.

The TAC-funded roundabout project at the intersection of South Beach Road and the Surf Coast Highway in Torquay will cost $2.5 million. It is one of hundreds of projects being delivered throughout the state under the $1 billion Safer System Roads Infrastructure Program (SSRIP).

Five serious crashes at the intersection over the past five years have resulted in three people being seriously injured and one life lost.

TAC Head of Community Relations Amanda Bavin said the SSRIP was delivering state-of-the-art safe roads infrastructure that would help Victoria achieve its Towards Zero vision for a future free of road deaths and injuries.

“We are improving road infrastructure on some of our most high-risk and dangerous sections of road,” Ms Bavin said.

Roundabouts played an important role in slowing vehicles entering intersections and limiting the amount of force involved in collisions by reducing the angle at which cars collide.

“The human body is only built to withstand a limited amount of force so anything we can do to reduce the amount of energy at impact greatly enhances the vehicle occupants’ chances of escaping serious injury,” Ms Bavin said.

“Our new Towards Zero approach to road safety is all about accepting that people will always make mistakes on the roads, and designing a system around them that will cushion them from death or serious injury,” said Ms Bavin.

Surf Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Rose Hodge, thanked the TAC and Victorian Government for supporting the South Beach Road roundabout project.

“The funding for the South Beach Road/Surf Coast Highway roundabout recognises the needs of our growing community and allows Council to follow through on a pledge we made in March 2015 to get the Beach Road upgrade moving when funding became available,” said Ms Hodge.

The design and construction of the roundabout will be undertaken by VicRoads and expected to be complete in 2018.

Community Representatives standing at corner

Representatives from the TAC, Surf Coast Shire, State Government and local business owners

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