Grove street upgrade reaches planning stage

THE Ocean Grove Community Association says it is pleased and excited that Regional Roads Victoria will start planning the Grubb Road/Tuckfield Street Upgrade project.

Chairperson Phil Edwards said initial activities would include gathering information and bringing together ideas, which began with a Grubb Road Community Workshop on Tuesday night.

“The OGCA has prepared a proposed concept plan of a typical section of what we envisage Grubb Road/Tuckfield Street could look like once upgraded,” Mr Edwards said.

“This concept plan is at the proposed intersection with the new Kingston Village Shopping Centre.”

Mr Edwards said some key elements include:
• Maintaining and enhancing the vegetated gateway to Ocean Grove
• Providing a safe environment for all road Users
• Ultimately connecting Ocean Grove to Drysdale (and the Rail Trail) with a user friendly pedestrian/bicycle track
• Does not have to be a dual lane highway for 4km. OGCA is suggesting divided road with a 3.5m wide vehicle lane each way and an additional 3.5m wide lane (including 1m-wide, painted safety strip) for road cyclists. This second lane could also be used for emergency vehicles and very slow vehicles
• Speed could be reduced to 60kmh from the Bellarine Highway to the start of the current 60kmh (at industrial estate)
• All power and communications cabling to be installed underground. This is for both fire safety and aesthetics
• Ultimately connect Tuckfield Street to The Terrace.

“These are just a few of our ideas and the community now has the unique opportunity to engage with Regional Roads Victoria and provide your own ideas for consideration in the planning process of the Grubb Road/Tuckfield Street Upgrade project,” Mr Edwards said.

“With respect to this project the OGCA is lobbying and seeking a commitment from the State Government Bellarine District candidates to provide capital funds in the next term of State Government, to enable construction works to start by December 2020.”