Traffic controllers start work at Barwon Heads crossing

TRAFFIC controllers began staffing a pedestrian crossing in Barwon Heads on Christmas Eve in a bid to improve travel times and decongest roads.

The traffic controllers will be at the Bridge Road crossing from 10am to 4pm on peak days until after the Australia Day holiday – December 24 to January 8 – and again from January 26 to January 28.

Bellarine MP Lisa Neville, who announced the initiative in the lead up to last month’s state election, said during this time Regional Roads Victoria would monitor the traffic flow and adjust traffic control arrangements as required, which could include extending the period that the traffic controllers are on site, if necessary.

Ms Neville said the left hand turn into Ewing Blyth Drive from Barwon Heads Bridge had been installed.

She said electronic advisory signage was also now in place at the Ocean Grove roundabout (Orton Street and Wallington Road) advising drivers of the travel time through Barwon Heads and Connewarre.

Ms Neville said initial feedback to traffic controllers manning the pedestrian crossing had been very positive.

“The aim is to minimise the delays that motorists had previously experienced and if proven effective we will look to make the solutions permanent for summers to come,” she said.

Due to its popularity as a holiday destination, Barwon Heads has attracted a significant increase in traffic in recent years – with the travel time from Ocean Grove to Barwon Heads jumping to an average of 20-25 minutes in peak times over summer in 2017.

To check out what other works are underway or planned in the Bellarine, head to regionalroads.vic.gov.au.