Safety works begin at dangerous Ocean Grove intersection

WORKS to improve safety have commenced at the dangerous Orton Street and Presidents Avenue intersection in Ocean Grove.
Traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, separated bike lanes and upgraded street lighting will be installed at the location where three major collisions have been recorded in the past 10 years, including most recently in 2018 when a motorcyclist sustained serious
injuries.
Typically, 9000 vehicles use Orton Street daily, rising to almost 18,000 movements in peak holiday periods along the busy thoroughfare between Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads.
The upgrades are the result of a strong community campaign to improve safety and feedback from residents at engagement sessions held in 2019 by Regional Roads Victoria (RRV).
About 90 per cent of the people involved in sessions said they felt “unsafe’’ at the intersection, and highlighted traffic speed and the lack of safe opportunities to cross at the location for pedestrians and cyclists.
The upgrade will include:

• New traffic signals on all approaches – including button operated pedestrian lights
• A raised platform on Orton St to slow vehicles approaching from the east
• New separated bike lanes
• Safe pedestrian paths and crossing points, linking to existing footpaths, and
• Upgraded street lighting to improve visibility, and ‘keep clear’ zones in front of nearby driveways.

Weather permitting, RRV says it expects the upgrade to be complete by the end of the year, with the intersection to be operational in time for the summer holiday period and has advised that detours will be in place from time to time when works are happening on
Presidents Avenue.
Works will take place between 7am and 6pm from Monday to Friday.
Bellarine MP Lisa Neville said the Andrews Government had invested $2.5 million for this intersection upgrade after the community raised concerns about road safety at the site.
For project updates and traffic information, head to regionalroads.vic.gov.au.