Traffic lights proposed for Bristol Road intersection

TORQUAY will get another set of traffic lights, with the Surf Coast Shire revealing its proposal for an upgrade to the intersection of Bristol Road and the Surf Coast Highway.

The shire, which announced last week that preliminary design layout plans had been sent to residents and businesses in this area, says the traffic lights will help improve safety and traffic flow, as well as cater for future growth.

The project is in the early planning stage, with physical works not expected to begin until at least 2023.

The upgrade will be welcome news to some drivers, as the intersection can be tricky for cars coming out of Bristol Road onto the four-lane Surf Coast Highway, cars turning into Bristol Road from the south, or for anyone coming into or out of the Woolworths Caltex service station on the north-east corner.

As part of the development of Torquay Village in 2015, Coles was also required to restrict right-hand turns out of Bristol Road onto the Surf Coast Highway, with only buses allowed to turn right and all other vehicles having to turn left and make a U-turn at the intersection at Rocklea Drive.

Major changes proposed for this intersection include:

• New traffic lights to be installed controlling each leg of the intersection
• Pedestrian lights controlling crossing points on Bristol Road and south side of the highway crossing
• All vehicles will be able to turn left or right from Bristol Road onto Surf Coast Highway
• A new footpath will be created on the western side of the highway, alongside the service road, and
• The service road (near St Therese Church) connection to existing intersection to be closed to allow for safe and efficient operation of intersection, and a new court bowl constructed in the service road with highway access via the Zeally Bay Road intersection.

Shire deputy mayor Liz Pattison said the traffic lights would make it safer and easier for people to drive or walk to and from the supermarkets, shops and businesses on Bristol Road.

“The traffic lights will mean that cars using Bristol Road will be able to turn right, as well as left, onto the Surf Coast Highway, whereas at the moment only buses can turn right,” Cr Pattison said.

“It will also create signalised pedestrian crossings across the highway and Bristol Road, which will make it much safer for people to cross these busy roads.”

Detailed designs are yet to developed, and will be subject to Department of Transport approval.

If people have any questions or concerns, they can submit them by Friday, June 18, or by phoning the shire on 5261 0600.

For more information or to make a submission, head to the Surf Coast Shire’s website.