VicRoads and TAC boost safety on Surf Coast Highway

22 Sep 2015

In an Australian first, safety platforms have been built on an arterial road at a signalised intersection.

VicRoads Regional Director Mark Koliba confirmed new traffic lights and safety platforms are now fully operational at the intersection of the Surf Coast Highway and Kidman Avenue in Geelong.

"I am proud to have been a part of this innovative project and know a lot of people helped throughout various stages in its development, planning and construction in bringing it to fruition," Mark said.

"Feedback received has been encouraging and positive from some of our key stakeholders and the local community about combining traffic lights and safety platforms, to improve safety at the intersection.

"Many people living in the area have said these improvements will make them feel safer at the intersection, both as pedestrians and drivers."

This location was chosen specifically because it is a key arterial route with high volumes of daily commuter traffic. In the morning and afternoon peaks there are children crossing the Surf Coast Highway to get to and from the schools, shops and a sporting club on Kidman Avenue.

About 20,000 vehicles travel through this intersection daily and this is exptected to increase to 38,000 by 2031. There were 6 casualty crashes in the area between January 2008 and December 2012.

"I have been on site to watch how the traffic is moving in and around the intersection," Mark said.

"VicRoads and the TAC will be monitoring the upgraded intersection including the safety platforms, which are designed so drivers will slow down as they enter and pass through the area.

"This new treatment will help control the speed of vehicles to reduce not only the risk of a collision but more importantly, the severity of injuries should a crash occur.

"We want drivers to take care over the next few months when travelling along the Highway, until everyone is used to the changed conditions," he said.

$1.4million in funding was provided by the Victorian Government and TAC as part of the Safe System Road Infrastructure Program (SSRIP).

SSRIP is a partnership between the TAC and VicRoads to deliver safer roads infrastructure throughout Victoria. The TAC has committed $1 billion to the program over 10 years, with VicRoads responsible for managing the projects.